(Updated Thursday 9AM) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is wasting no time in trying to form a narrow government to replace the defunct national unity coalition. Talks are already underway with MK Avigdor Lieberman's National Union-Israel Beiteinu party. Should Lieberman's faction join the government, Sharon would have the support of 62 Knesset members, just barely keeping the Prime Minister in power.
In the meantime Sharon must now determine how to to divvy out the Cabinet posts vacated by the Labor party, once their resignations take effect in another 36 hours. Sharon officials say that recently retired IDF Chief of Staff General Shaul Mofaz will most likely assume the role of Defense Minister. At this point it looks like Sharon himself will take over the foreign ministry portfolio. Other crucial players in new Cabinet may include Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, as well as ministers without portfolio Danny Naveh, Tzipi Livni, and Dan Meridor.
In the meantime Sharon must now determine how to to divvy out the Cabinet posts vacated by the Labor party, once their resignations take effect in another 36 hours. Sharon officials say that recently retired IDF Chief of Staff General Shaul Mofaz will most likely assume the role of Defense Minister. At this point it looks like Sharon himself will take over the foreign ministry portfolio. Other crucial players in new Cabinet may include Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, as well as ministers without portfolio Danny Naveh, Tzipi Livni, and Dan Meridor.