After meeting and phone call with Livni, rumors spread about coalition negotiations; Netanyahu reportedly says talks were routine.
By JPOST.COM STAFF311_bibi and livni(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he does not have plans to widen the coalition, in a statement released overnight Thursday, Army Radio reported.The prime minister met with opposition leader Tzipi Livni last week, and phoned her days later, fueling rumors that the two are negotiating terms for Kadima's addition to the coalition. However, Netanyahu has reportedly denied this assertion.RELATED:PM denies asking Peres to enlist Livni into coalitionBarak proposes more inclusive coalition, Kadima refutesAccording to Army Radio, Netanyahu said he called Livni because their meeting was cut short by an urgent situation. He added that he meets with Livni every three weeks.A recent reported three-hour meeting between President Shimon Peres and Netanyahu also led to media speculation that the prime minister was seeking the president's help into drafting Livni to join the coalitions.The Prime Minister’s Office denied that Netanyahu secretly met with President Shimon Peres to enlist Kadima to join the coalition.Beit Hanassi also responded at the time that the prime minister and the president meet frequently and they never reveal the content of the conversations.
