Jerusalem, September 25:  Israel's president on Wednesday tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming a new government after last week's deadlocked elections, his office announced. Israel Elections Results 2019: Benjamin Netanyahu Set to Lose Majority in Polls.

The announcement followed a joint meeting between President Reuven Rivlin, Netanyahu and the premier's challenger Benny Gantz. Netanyahu will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible two-week extension.

If all attempts fail, Rivlin can then assign the task to someone else. Rivlin has been urging Netanyahu and Gantz to form a unity government, but a compromise appears a long way off. Israel Election Exit Poll Results 2019: Benny Gantz To Win 32–34 Seats, While Benjamin Netanyahu to Win 31–33 Seats; Avigdor Lieberman May End Up Kingmaker.

Final results from September 17 elections gave Gantz's centrist Blue and White 33 seats, ahead of Likud's 32 out of parliament's 120. Neither has a clear path to a majority coalition. Netanyahu received the endorsement of 55 members of parliament for the post of prime minister after the election, while Gantz received 54.

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