Netanyahu Said to Reach Cabinet Deal

Binyamin Netanyanu is expected to sign the final coalition agreement sometime tonight, forming a government only two days before the period allocated ends. Likud Beitenu is to retain the Dfense and Foreign Ministries, with Defense going to Moshe Yaalon, and with Netanyahu himself holding the Foreign portfolio until Avigdor Lieberman's legal problems are resolved.

Yair Lapid will take the Finance Ministry and his Yesh Atid Party will also control Education, while Naftali Bennett of Ha-Bayit Ha-Yehudi is expected to handle Economics and Trade. Tzipi Livni of Hatnua will be Justice Minister.Netanyahu opposes naming any Deputy Prime Ministers, which seems to havbe been the last sticking point.