Mofaz, Livni
Mofaz, LivniIsrael news photo: Flash 90

MK Tzipi Livni, who heads Kadima, and MK Shaul Mofaz, who would like to head the party instead of her, met Thursday in Jerusalem to discuss moving party primaries to an earlier date but did not reach agreement.

"Kadima has got to prepare for [general] elections," said Mofaz, who is pressing for early primaries. "Any other decision stems from irrelevant considerations that are not good for Kadima and contradict our national obligation toward the voters."

Livni fired back at Mofaz and said: "I will not allow personal struggles to hurt Kadima and come at the expense of its struggles on the national level. Your demand for primaries began on the day after your loss in the previous primaries."

"My decision will be taken, first and foremost, based upon what is good for Kadima and the challenges before us," she added. "In any case, Kadima will be prepared for early general elections, including primaries."