Barak: Labor will remain key factor
Party chairman says will do 'what is right for Israel'; MK Ayalon: Coalition with Likud will be 'paralyze, quarrelsome'
"The Labor Party under my leadership will continue to be a responsible factor in the country and lead political, economic and security-related initiatives in the direction that we think is right," Labor chief Ehud Barak said Tuesday during a tour of the IDF's Gaza Division in southern Israel.
"We will do what is right for Israel," Barak said a day after President Shimon Peres tasked newly-elected Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni with forming the next government.
He did not respond to questions on the coalition negotiations.
On Monday Livni urged Barak to join her government as a senior partner, while noting that Barak had called on Kadima to replace its previous chairman Ehud Olmert and refrained from demanding general elections.
Labor Knesset Member Ami Ayalon said an emergency government that would include Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party would be "paralyzed and quarrelsome".
"The current emergency situation calls for a diplomatic breakthrough and economic preparedness based on Labor's values, which will be defined in the outline of the new government," he said.
Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog, also from Labor, called on Livni to form a National Unity Government.
"Livni has recognized Labor as an important and central partner in a National Unity Government. There is basis for dialogue and negotiations, but we must also prepare for general elections," he said.
Ilana Curiel contributed to the report
