PM expects 'prompt' reply from Livni

A day before his slated meeting with opposition leader Tzipi Livni, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his advisors he has "no intention to engage in coalitional agreements of a unity government that functions wonderfully and has fully cooperating elements."

The prime minister's comments came in response to MK Shaul Mofaz's statement, in which he urged Livni to form a coalitional negotiation team following the PM's offer to include Kadima in the government.

"I expect to receive Livni's prompt reply and hope that she understands the magnitude of the issue at hand," said Netanyahu while reiterating that "the goal is to expand the existing national unity government in light of the great challenges facing the State of Israel."

Netanyahu added that there will not be a redistribution of the portfolios if Kadima joins the government. Sources close to the prime minister said Saturday that "if Livni talks about state and religion, it means she is looking to foil the deal.

"She will not say no, but to raise other subjects will be foiling it," said the sources, adding that "the government today is stable and has a high level of management. It works quietly and has basic guidelines; the assumption is that Livni will not approve of those"

The sources added that "one cannot destabilize the government only for the purpose of including Kadima. At this time, if there is a national situation that requires a wide support base, she should put her demands aside."

Livni, who met with senior party members on Saturday, said she will meet with Netanyahu "gladly, in order to see whether there is truth to his statements and examine where the government is headed."

Livni added that redistribution of portfolios was not on her agenda: "this government is huge, and Kadima will not give hand in expanding it further."

"I want to see what he proposes doing. I want to test what shall be done in the case of bills he promised to pass on to his existing coalition partners," said Livni of what seemed to be her 'escape route' from the PM's offer.

"I am assuming that we will agree on the national level. There are also agreements as far as defense matters are concerned; but what do we do about the rest of the issues? What do I do about the laws, state and religion as well as economic issues? There are many things that need to be determined," Livni concluded.