The Israeli prime minister, Mr Ariel Sharon was given the official nod this afternoon to form Israel's next government following his right-wing Likud party's victory in the January 28th election.
In a broadcast ceremony, President Moshe Katzav appointed Mr Sharon to try to put together a ruling coalition within 28 days. Sharon can ask for an additional two-week period should he run into difficulties.
"The prime minister agreed to accept the task," Mr Katzav said as Mr Sharon stood at his side in the president's official residence. He said 87 of parliament's 120 members recommended to him that Mr Sharon form the next government.
The prime minister has called for a broad "national unity" government, which would include the main opposition Labor Party, to meet what he has described as the challenges of terrorism and a looming US-led war against Iraq.
Political commentators have speculated Mr Sharon will not rush to form a new government, hoping that reluctant political partners will rally to the flag and enlist in his coalition should war erupt in the Gulf.