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Netanyahu's party signs coalition govt deal

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-16 13:18

JERUSALEM -- Israeli media are reporting that Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party has signed a coalition agreement with the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party.

Israel's Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu attends a party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem March 2, 2009. Israeli media are reporting that Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party has signed a coalition agreement with the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party. [Agencies]

Related readings:  Israel's Netanyahu and Livni make new contact  Netanyahu fails to land centrist rival's support  Netanyahu's plea for Israeli unity gov't rejected  Israel's Peres: Netanyahu will form new government

Sunday's agreement is the first signed by Netanyahu on his way toward setting up a ruling government coalition of hawkish and Orthodox Jewish parties.

Both Likud and Yisrael Beitenu left the door open for Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima Party to join, but that appeared unlikely.

The deal with Yisrael Beitenu names that party's leader, Avigdor Lieberman, as the incoming foreign minister.

Lieberman has been accused of being a racist demagogue because of his plans to require loyalty oaths from Israel's Arab citizens. An appointment as foreign minister raises concerns that Israel's international ties will be harmed.

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