Amid impasse in coalition talks, PM tells Liberman: 'There's no point in wasting the country's time. We'll meet, see if it's serious or not, and make a decision accordingly'

Yisrael Beytenu says a third election is 'last thing' the country needs as kingmaker vows to try to bridge the gap between the sides

Likud says no decision on whether PM will declare failure to form a coalition early as party reaffirms pact with religious allies

Blue and White officials say Likud negotiating in bad faith; Ruling party says it's 'shocked,' urges rivals to reconsider; premier appears poised to return mandate to president

Yisrael Beytenu chief, who helped trigger second elections, says ideological differences between Likud, Blue and White are minimal: 'Put your egos and personal interests aside'

Netanyahu's party had said that if the meeting produces no result, he will likely tell president that he is unable to form a majority coalition; then it would be Gantz's turn

Netanyahu's party has already said that if the meeting produces no result, PM may tell president that he is unable to form a majority coalition

Likud says president's proposal in which power would be equally divided and Netanyahu and Gantz would each serve 2 years as PM is only realistic solution

3rd election seen increasingly likely as unity talks go nowhere; Likud accepts Rivlin's proposal, but won't say if Netanyahu would take leave of absence if indicted

Officials in Netanyahu's party say whoever trips up efforts will lead to new elections; insist 'none' of right-wing-religious bloc will stay out of coalition