Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to dissuade his opponents from forming a government as he seeks to hold on to power.

Axar.az reports that Centrist party leader Yair Lapid has until Wednesday to build a coalition.

Media reports from Israel say he is close to reaching agreement with ultra-nationalist leader Naftali Bennett.

Mr Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving PM, fell short of a decisive majority at a general election in March - the fourth in two years.

Mr Lapid could be close to reaching a deal, says BBC Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher.

Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for fraud, has been in power for 12 years and has dominated Israeli politics for a generation. He was given the first chance at forming a government but was unable to secure the coalition partners needed.

Mr Lapid's Yesh Atid party came second to Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud at the last election and was given until 2 June to build a coalition.