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A10 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 25 september 2019

Israel’s main parties begin talks on coalition government

By ARON HELLER trailed by Netanyahu’s Li-
Associated Press kud with 31. With smaller
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s allied parties, a total of 55
two largest parties met lawmakers have thrown
Tuesday to discuss the pos- their support behind Netan-
sibility of forming a unity yahu, against 54 for Gantz,
government, in a long-shot leaving both men short of
effort to break the politi- the required 61-seat major-
cal deadlock following last ity.
week’s national elections. A unity deal between the
The meeting between par- large parties, with a rotat-
ty representatives comes a ing leadership, is seen as
day after Blue and White perhaps the only way out
leader Benny Gantz and of the gridlock. That’s what
Prime Minister Benjamin Avigdor Lieberman, the
Netanyahu of the rival Li- leader of the ultranational-
kud party held their first ist Yisrael Beitenu party, is
working meeting since the insisting upon. Lieberman,
vote. Israeli President Re- who controls eight seats,
uven Rivlin brought them has refused to endorse
together in hopes of break- either candidate and is
ing an impasse that could demanding they join him
lead to months of political In this Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 file photo, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, left, Esther in a broad, secular unity
limbo and potentially force Hayut, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu government that excludes
a third election in less than attend a memorial service for former President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. the ultra-Orthodox parties
a year. Associated Press — Netanyahu’s long-time
“We took a significant step expect you to find a solu- summit Wednesday before what they described in a partners. A former aide and
this evening, and now the tion and to prevent further making his decision. No joint statement as a “mat- ally of Netanyahu, Lieber-
main challenge is building elections, even if it comes breakthrough is expected, ter-of-fact” meeting “held man forced the Sept. 17
a direct channel of com- at a personal and even and it is unclear which way in good spirits.” repeat vote by refusing to
munication out of trust be- ideological cost.” Rivlin is leaning. Gantz’s centrist Blue and join Netanyahu’s coalition
tween the two sides,” Rivlin Rivlin summoned Gantz On Tuesday, negotiators White came in first in the and robbing him of his par-
told the two rivals. “People and Netanyahu for another from the two parties met for elections, with 33 seats, liamentary majority.q
Strong earthquake jolts Pakistan,

killing 19, wounding 300

According to state-run aged homes, shops and multistory buildings into
Pakistan Television, four vehicles in Mirpur, where the streets. Shortly after
children were among the a breach at a main canal the tremor hit, Pakistan's
dead in Mirpur, a town in was submerging villages. military dispatched troops
the Pakistan-administered According to Pakistan's and medical teams to the
part of Kashmir. Meteorological Depart- quake-affected area to
Raja Qaiser, a deputy com- ment, the epicenter of the assist civilian authorities in
missioner in the region, said 5.8 magnitude quake was helping victims.
rescuers were still transport- located near the moun- Authorities said helicopters
ing victims to hospitals in tainous city of Jehlum in will also be used if needed
the city, where an emer- eastern Punjab province. to evacuate people from
People stand outside their offices after an earthquake is felt in
Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. gency was declared. The earthquake shook walls the earthquake-affected
Associated Press He said a main road near across the country and area. Some residents in
By MUNIR AHMED Pakistan on Tuesday, dam- Mirpur was also badly dam- left people waiting in the Mirpur said shortly after the
Associated Press aging dozens of homes aged, causing accidents streets fearing further trem- quake struck, they came
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A pow- and shops and killing at and damaging buses and ors. out of their homes reciting
erful 5.8 magnitude earth- least 19 people and injuring other vehicles. Residents in Islamabad verses from the Quran, Is-
quake struck northeast over 300, officials said. TV footage showed dam- were seen rushing out of lam's holy book.q