President Moshe Katzav is spending the day meeting with representatives of most of the larger parties, in preparation for appointing the Knesset Member who will form the next government. First to meet with Katzav were MKs of the Likud, headed by Ruby Rivlin, to be followed by Labor, Shinui, Shas, the National Union, and Meretz. He will meet with representatives of the other parties tomorrow or the day after. All the parties except Labor, Meretz, and the Arab parties are expected to recommend that Ariel Sharon be appointed to form the government - though Shinui is expected not to recommend anyone.