Israel politics: Lapid nears coalition after Netanyahu fell short

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to dissuade his opponents from forming a government as he seeks to hold on to power.

Centrist party leader Yair Lapid has until Wednesday to build a coalition.

Media reports from Israel say he is close to reaching agreement with ultra-nationalist leader Naftali Bennett.

Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving PM, fell short of a decisive majority at a general election in March – the fourth in two years.

Mr Lapid