Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has won the Israeli national election, securing a record fifth term in office.
Details:
- Though neither party captured a ruling majority in the 120-member Knesset, the results published, put Netanyahu in a strong position to form a coalition government with right-wing factions.
- The closely contested race was widely seen in Israel as a referendum on Netanyahu's character and record in the face of corruption allegations.
- He faces possible indictment in three graft cases, and has denied wrongdoing in all of them.
- The veteran right-wing leader's Likud party is seen to win 35 seats, according to the Knesset website and the Israeli TV channels.
- That would mean a five-seat gain for Likud.
- With 97 percent of the votes counted, final results were expected by Friday.
- If he wins, Netanyahu, 69, will be on track to be the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's 71-year history.
- Netanyahu said he had already begun talks with prospective coalition allies.
- Netanyahu, in power consecutively since 2009, has been fighting for his political survival.
- He faces possible indictment in three graft cases, and has denied wrongdoing in all three.
