Jerusalem - Israel's 120 newly-elected Knesset members gathered at the parliament building in Jerusalem Tuesday afternoon to take their oath of office, even though prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet managed to form a coalition.

The ceremony was attended by President Shimon Peres, who kicked off proceedings by addressing the legislators.

Acting Speaker Michael Eitan, the Knesset's longest-serving member, was slated to read the oath of office: "I pledge to remain loyal to the State of Israel and to fulfil my duty in the Knesset faithfully", after which each legislator would stand and confirm the oath.

Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister-Designate Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday morning with Ehud Barak, leader of the Labour Party, in an effort to get him to join a government Netanyahu is attempting to set up.

Although Netanyahu can form a narrow coalition with the support of 65 of the 120 legislators in the Knesset, he has said he prefers to set up a unity government with his hardline Likud Party, the centrist Kadima party and the centre-left Labour Party, which would give him of government of 68 lawmakers.

Jerusalem, Feb. 21 : Iran and Syria are secretly working on nuclear technology in a manner which risks peace in the region and the world, while bluntly ignoring their international obligations," a Israeli Foreign Ministry statement has said.

US State Department officials have said they plan to meet with the Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, the allegations.

The Israeli and American statements were issued following a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that indicated Iran was continuing to enrich uranium.

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  - Israeli Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu moved closer Thursday to being asked to form Israel's next government, after a key faction holding the balance of power recommended that President Shimon Peres nominate him as premier.

The move by the Yisrael Beteinu party capped days of speculation as to which prospective candidate - Netanyahu or outgoing Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni - would get its backing.