Netanyahu rival Eisenkot tapped to try to form government in Israel

The president of Israel has tapped Gadi Eisenkot to try to form a government. Eisenkot, a former military chief, is known as a rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The country faces a deadlock over forming a government after an inconclusive election. In this situation, Eisenkot hopes to become prime minister by cobbling together a coalition.

Eisenkot hopes to succeed Netanyahu. He will now have to try to bring various parties together to build a coalition.

Meanwhile, Israel's opposition leader has said the Netanyahu government must go.

The deadlock over forming a government arose because the election result gave no party a clear majority.

Having been given the task of forming a government, Eisenkot is now expected to begin coalition talks.