Israel PM forges unity government, gets freer hand on Iran, Palestine | WPN World People News

Avoiding early general elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has struck a deal with the opposition Kadima party to form a unity government.

Kadima's recently-elected leader, Shaul Mofaz, is set to be named deputy PM.

The move could give him a free hand to launch a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and also seek peace with Palestinians.

The coalition deal, sealed at a private meeting Monday night, gives Netanyahu a chance to have a huge majority of 94 members in a parliament of 120 lawmaker - one of the biggest in Israeli history.

Netanyahu said the new coalition wanted a "responsible" peace process with the Palestinians and "serious" talks about Iran's nuclear programme.

"This government is good for security, good for the economy and good for the people of Israel," Netanyahu told reporters in a joint news conference with Kadima's leader Mofaz.

Kadima is currently the biggest party in the house.

President Shimon Peres said the deal was "good for the people of Israel".

The new coalition will govern until the end of the parliament's current term in October 2013, giving Nethanyahu a year of stability

"Up until a few days ago I was told that I wanted elections in order to escape the budget, the Tal Law, and the toughest questions facing Israel," Netanyahu said.

"And here we are together... saying we're pulling together for four main issues - pass a fair and equal distribution of the national burden that would replace the Tal Law; passing a responsible budget; bringing about a change in the system of governance; and, lastly, to try and promote a responsible peace process."

Source: The Asia News.Net