Barak reportedly lobbying Laborites to back joining Netanyahu-led coalition

Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak is lobbying the faction's central committee members and activists for support for a possible entry into a government led by Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu, Channel 10 reported on Sunday.

Barak's efforts come despite his statements indicating that Labor intends to remain in the opposition.

On Monday morning, prime minister-designate Netanyahu met with Barak after so far failing to tempt centrist Kadima leader Tzipi Livni into a broad, moderate, coalition government.

Reluctant to rely for support only on ultra-nationalists to his right, Netanyahu has appealed to Livni and Barak to join him as partners in a national unity government but both have said they would rather go into opposition.

The meeting was initiated by Barak as a part of a series of meetings and consultations aimed at determining what the response of central committee members would be if Labor were to join the next government.

Aides to Barak say most of the activists with whom they spoke expressed a willingness to take part in the ruling coalition provided that the party receive senior portfolios and that Netanyahu pledge to continue the diplomatic process.