ISRAEL SWEARS IN NEW PARL AS BIBI READIES GOVT

JERUSALEM: Israel swore in a new parliament on Tuesday hours after a deadly attack, as veteran hawk Benjamin Netanyahu advances talks on forming what could be the country’s most right-wing government ever.

Of the 120 lawmakers elected on November 1, 64 have endorsed Netanyahu to lead the next government, clearing the way for his promised comeback after just 14 months in opposition.

The majority secured by Netanyahu’s Likud and its allies two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties and the rising far-right Religious Zionism alliance - was expected to usher in a stable government, ending an unprecedented period of political gridlock that saw five elections in less than four years.