Netanyahu given 14 days to form government

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an extension of 14 days to form a new government.

"I am giving you another 14 days to put together a government," Rivlin told Netanyahu in remarks broadcast live on Israel's main radio stations after the premier formally requested an extension.

After a surprise election victory, Netanyahu was tasked by Rivlin on 25 March with forming the next government and given 28 days to do so, a period which was set to expire on Tuesday.

Ahead of the deadline, Netanyahu went early on Monday to Rivlin to formally request an extension of up to two weeks.

Despite nearly four weeks of intensive negotiations, Netanyahu has not yet managed to reach agreement on the government he was hoping to form, which would comprise six rightwing and religious parties and have a majority of 67 in the 120-seat parliament.

In this MEE video, we explore possible combinations Netanyahu might make - and challenges his new government will face - with Israeli journalist Dimi Reider.