Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni said Thursday evening that she would call fresh elections on Sunday if she could not form a coalition by then.

She had already informed President Shimon Peres of her decision, she told members of her Kadima party.

Kadima was open to working with any partner, she said, but she was not prepared to give in to illegitimate demands from other parties.

Livni has until November 3 to present a new government.

So far she has the support of Defence Minister Ehud Barak's Labour party, which would give her a total of only 48 votes in the 120-seat Knesset. (dpa)