Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is wasting no time in trying to form a narrow government to replace the newly defunct national unity government. Talks are already underway with the National Union-Israel Beiteinu party, headed by MK Avigdor Lieberman. The 7-man faction would give Sharon a 62-MK government, just barely keeping the Prime Minister in power. Lieberman is currently against joining the government, but members of his party do not agree. "If we can't join a right-wing government, then which government can we join?" asks his colleague MK Benny Elon. Lieberman answered this question to Arutz-7 earlier this week, saying that he wants new elections, which would give the right-wing more strength in the Knesset and enable a broader government.



Sharon must also determine if and how to divvy out the Cabinet posts vacated by the Labor party. The five Labor ministers' resignations take effect Friday night. Speculation is widespread that Sharon will offer former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Sha'ul Mofaz the position of Defense Minister - although much is being made of the fact that Mofaz left the army only three months ago. At this point it looks like Sharon himself will take over the foreign ministry portfolio, after Shimon Peres rebuffed his offer to remain in the government. Other players in the new Cabinet may include Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and Ministers without Portfolio Danny Naveh, Tzippy Livni and Dan Meridor.