Leaders of Israel's political parties opposed to Netanyahu meet

The leaders of Israel's political parties opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the first time since last week's election,

as the country remained mired in political deadlock with neither side securing a clear majority.

The opposition parties agreed to recommend former general Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, to form the first coalition.

Israel's president, whose role is largely ceremonial, chooses which candidate gets the first opportunity to form a government.

A coalition needs at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset, or parliament, to secure a majority.

"What we need to do now is move forward and form a government," said Yair Lapid, joint leader of the Together party, before entering the meeting. He said Netanyahu

and his allies must leave office, accusing them of causing "enough damage to the State of Israel and the people of Israel."