Lieberman: I've made up my mind between Livni, Netanyahu

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, a key variable in Likud and Kadima's battle to forge a coalition, said Thursday that he has already decided who he would like to see at the helm of the government.

Lieberman told Israel Radio that his stance on whom he would recommend President Shimon Peres appoint had become clear after meeting with Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni and her rival Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

"I know exactly who I will recommend to the president, but I am not telling because it is too early," he said.

Livni has said she could offer Lieberman support for two issues that are crucial to him: passing a law that would enable couples barred from religious Jewish marriage to marry in a civil union, and making changes to the system of government.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, is expected to offer him the finance portfolio.

If the right-wing Lieberman recommends Livni to Peres as his choice for forming the government she would immediately lose her recommendation from Labor and Meretz, political sources said.

Yisrael Beiteinu won 15 out of 120 Knesset seats in Tuesday's general elections, making it the third largest party in Israel and a crucial contingent of the right-wing bloc. The party campaigns on an anti-Arab, anti-religious platform, and secured the position of kingmaker in the formation of the next government.

Early Wednesday, Lieberman said he was leaving his options open, indicating he could jump either way. The party then met later Wednesday to discuss its coalition options.

Sources in Yisrael Beiteinu said Wednesday despite its anti-religious stance, the party was not ruling out joining a coalition that included the ultra-Orthodox Shas. The announcement came despite Lieberman's pledge Tuesday that he would not forget Shas' attacks on his party and himself.