Netanyahu completes coalition with less than an hour before deadline

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completed the formation of a new coalition government, less than an hour before a midnight deadline.

President Reuven Rivlin’s office said Mr Netanyahu called late today to inform him that the deal was done.

An official in Mr Netanyahu‘s office also confirmed a deal.

The announcement came after marathon talks with the hard-line Jewish Home Party.

The deal will put Mr Netanyahu at the head of a narrow coalition, controlling just 61 seats in the 120-member parliament.