PM holds talks in attempt to prevent early elections, decision due within hours

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes his close associates for political discussions at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, following Avigdor Liberman’s resignation as defense minister.

Netanyahu will evaluate the situation and make decisions in the coming hours, the Walla news site reports, citing a source close to the premier.

“The first goal is to see if we can stabilize the coalition and go forward, and the prime minister will hold meetings over the next hours with coalition chiefs and political partners to see if early elections are avoidable,” the source is quoted as saying.

Netanyahu is yet to respond to an ultimatum by the Jewish Home party that it receive the defense portfolio as a condition for staying in the government.