Tel Aviv - The Israel Labour Party and the Likud continued marathon negotiations on a draft coalition deal into Tuesday morning, ahead of a crucial vote by the Labour Party Convention later in the day on whether the party should join the Likud government.

The convention's some 1,470 members are scheduled to meet at a fairground in Tel Aviv in the afternoon.

Both supporters of Labour leader Ehud Barak who favour joining the Likud-led government, and Labour leaders who vehemently oppose such a move, have expressed confidence they will win the vote.

The talks between teams of Barak and prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu began Monday morning and continued into the night. Barak and Netanyahu themselves joined the negotiations, deliberating at a conference and sports complex east of Tel Aviv early Tuesday morning, Israel Radio reported.

Asked what demands Barak was making regarding the peace process, a Labour negotiator told the radio "an understanding exists on promoting peace toward agreements with our neighbours."

But the negotiator declined to answer whether the coalition agreement would express explicit support for a Palestinian state.

Israel Radio said negotiators were reporting "difficulties" in the talks. Barak wants to present a draft deal before the convention ahead of a vote.

Netanyahu is fervently wooing Labour because he is reluctant to form a narrow majority government with only right-wing and ultra-Orthodox factions. (dpa)