Netanyahu, Lieberman join forces in Israel

26 Oct 2012, 6:26 am   -   Source: AAP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman are to join forces for the upcoming election.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman say they will join forces for the upcoming election, boosting the prime minister's position as favourite.

Netanyahu and Lieberman say they will present a joint list for the January 22 election without merging their respective parties, Likud and Yisrael Beitenu.

"Israel needs to unify its forces to govern and face security and economic challenges ... The Likud and Yisrael Beitenu will therefore present a common list in the next election," Netanyahu told reporters on Thursday.

"Israel needs a strong coalition government based on a political list based on genuine cooperation ... We ask the people to support strengthening the state, and I want a clear mandate so I can take care of the basic" issues.

Lieberman said he intended to "contribute to the stability of the next government".

"De facto, we have already established a change in the political system, which ensures stability" of power, he said.

Likud has 26 seats in the 120-seat Knesset or parliament, and Yisrael Beitenu has 15. Polls show both parties should at least retain or even boost their representation in the chamber.

Netanyahu and Lieberman held secret negotiations before announcing their surprise alliance, which will allow them to present themselves as the most likely grouping to head the next coalition government.

Parliament voted overnight on Monday to dissolve itself ahead of elections by 100 votes to none in a third reading following a nearly nine-hour session.

Netanyahu has blamed the need for early elections on a coalition deadlock over the passage of a budget packed with austerity measures, but commentators say it was a move to capitalise on his current standing in the polls, which put him as the sole realistic contender for the premiership.

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