Likud reaches coalition accord with far-right

JERUSALEM - The rightist Likud party of Israeli prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu early Monday concluded a first coalition agreement with the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, a Likud spokeswoman said.

"An agreement on government has been signed between Likud and Yisrael Beitenu," Likud spokeswoman Miri Reihman told journalists after negotiations that lasted several hours.

Under the accord the far-right party will get the foreign ministry, with the portfolio going to Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, Reihman said. It would also be put in charge of the ministries of internal security, infrastructure, tourism, and integration of new immigrants.

The agreement was the first to be reached by Netanyahu since he was asked to form the next government.