Netanyahu advances talks with allies on forming a coalition

Israel swears in its new parliament on Tuesday, as veteran hawk Benjamin Netanyahu advances talks with allies on forming a coalition which could be the most right-wing in Israeli history. 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 ultraorthodox 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. — afp