World Bulletin / News Desk

 Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an additional two weeks to draw up a new cabinet.

The move comes at the request of Netanyahu, who has so far been unable to cobble together a coalition including his right-wing Likud Party and other right-wing and religious parties.

Rivlin gave Netanyahu an additional two weeks to form his cabinet, Israeli army radio reported on Monday, quoting the president as saying: "I wish the prime minister success in forming the cabinet."

The broadcaster quoted Netanyahu as saying he needed "more time" to draw up a government.

On Sunday, Netanyahu had said he would meet Rivlin on Monday to request an extension.

Israeli law gives the prime minister 28 days to draw up a new government, upon the expiry of which he has the right to request an additional two weeks.

Netanyahu's Likud Party won 30 seats in last month's Knesset elections, while its closest rival, the Zionist Union alliance, won 24 seats.

Netanyahu has already won the support of 67 Knesset members to form the next government.

No agreements to form a coalition government have materialized so far, however, despite lengthy meetings with the leaders of the right-wing Shas party and the centrist Kulanu party.