Jerusalem - Addressing the swearing-in ceremony for Israel's newly-elected Knesset members, President Shimon Peres called on the parliament to try wrap up a peace treaty with the Palestinians by the end of its four-year term.

"Distinguished Arab leaders have told me that a peace accord with the Palestinians would be recognized as a regional peace agreement that includes Israel," he said.

Jerusalem, Feb. 20 : Israeli President Shimon Peres is expected persuade Kadima leader Tzipi Livni to join a national unity government headed by Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu.

Netanhayu said Israel is facing a difficult situation, and there is a need for a broad-based government.

"A wide national-unity government is especially necessary in light of the major challenges Israel is facing from Iran, terror and the international economic crisis," The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanhayu, as saying.

Netanhayu's attempts have not persuaded Livni or Ehud Barak's Labor party to join on one platform.

Jerusalem  - Israeli President Shimon Peres is to meet with the rival leaders of Israel's two main political parties Friday, in an effort to build a grand coalition that can include both, Israeli media reported.

Peres is due to meet first with the head of the right-wing Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has the support of more of the Israeli parliament's political factions than his rival, Tzipi Livni.

Jerusalem  - Setting in motion the process of forming Israel's next government, President Shimon Peres met Wednesday night with representatives of the Kadima party, to hear their views on whom to charge with the task of building a coalition.

Under Israeli law, the president has to meet with all factions which won Knesset seats in an election, to hear who they recommend for the premiership. He can then task any legislator with the job, but gives the nod to the one who has the best chance of forming a coalition.

Tel Aviv/Davos - Israeli President Shimon Peres said Friday he regretted the incident at the World Economic Forum in Davos the day before when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed out of a debate over the Gaza Strip issue.

The Haaretz newspaper's internet site said Peres had made a telephone call with Erdogan Friday morning and assured him that he was "very sorry" about the incident.

"Friends can have disputes among each other," Peres reportedly told the Turkish premier. "I have always had great respect for the Turkish Republic and for you as its prime minister."

New York, Nov. 17 : Israel believes there is a chance for dialogue with Iran if Barack Obama succeeds in uniting the international community behind a common policy.

Israeli President Shimon Peres was quoted by The Times as saying ahead of visit to London, that his country’s most implacable foe could be brought to the negotiating table depending on a new political climate and economic factors, in particular a falling oil price.