Bibi trying to form gov't.

Netanyahu is desperately trying to get the support of 61 knesset members to form a coalition and become prime minister as the head of Likud.

Arutz Sheva:

The former finance minister has the support of 55 Knesset members from several parties, which according to current polling data are expected to suffer severe losses in the next elections, according to the Hebrew web site NFC and Israel Radio.
Besides Knesset members in the Likud who oppose Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, MKs in the National Religious Party, Shas, National Union and United Torah Judaism are backing the move.
If Netanyahu succeeds in forming and holding together a coalition, he will become Prime Minister and enable the current Knesset to continue in session until its mandate expires next November.
NFC reported that Netanyahu is trying to convince Shinui party leader Yosef (Tomy) Lapid to back his effort.
Shinui has been the hardest hit in the polls, which predict that the secular party will receive only five mandates, one-third of its present strength, in the next election.
Aides to Netanyahu explained that if he can establish an alternative government, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new Kadima party will become an opposition party and will lose the momentum which has swept recent polls at the expense of almost every other party except Labor....