Liberman meets Likud officials to discuss ousting Netanyahu as party leader

Yisrael Beytenu chair Avigdor Liberman meets with senior Likud officials to discuss replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as party leader if he fails to secure a 61-member bloc in the Knesset after the September 17 elections.

In a closed-door meeting at the Likud headquarters, Liberman said he had met with Likud MKs and mayors as well as members of the Likud central committee .

"In their estimation, at least two-thirds of the Likud party is praying that Netanyahu does not get 61 seats," Liberman said. "The time will come to replace the Likud nominee for forming a coalition," he said.