Far-right Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, AP reported.
Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party made the announcement at a meeting Thursday with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The move all but guarantees Netanyahu a majority in the new parliament, essentially paving his path to the premiership.
Peres began meeting the parties of the new parliament on Wednesday evening to decide whether to appoint Netanyahu of the hawkish Likud Party or Tzipi Livni of the centrist Kadima Party.
Livni edged Netanyahu on the Feb. 10 vote but Netanyahu has garnered the endorsement of more lawmakers. It now appears Peres will pick him to be the prime minister-designate.
Netanyahu would then have six weeks to build a coalition government.