After he was tasked by President Shimon Peres with forming the next government, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday: "I accept this mission with humility and a strong sense of the responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders.
"The State of Israel is currently facing extraordinary challenges. Iran is developing nuclear weapons and poses the greatest threat to our existence since the War of Independence."
Netanyahu said that Iran poses the biggest threat to Israel since its War of Independence, and that Israel also faces tough economic times ahead.
Netanyahu said he wants to form a national unity government with the centrist Kadima party of Tzipi Livni and with the left-wing Labor party.
"I call on Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni and Labor party chairman Ehud Barak and I say to them - let's unite to secure the future of the State of Israel. I ask to meet with you first to discuss with you a broad national unity government for the good of the people and the state," Netanyahu said.
