Livni: Netanyahu's offer to join govt. is ploy

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni says an invitation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the government is a transparent media spin.

According to Israeli media, Netanyahu himself was reportedly doubtful that the former foreign minister would accept his offer, which was made on Thursday.

The development came as Kadima, Israel's centrist political party which is chaired by Tzipi Livni, is on the brink of a breakup as at least half of lawmakers in the party are negotiating a move to the governing Likud party.

Netanyahu has recently pressed several of the Kadima party's parliamentary members to break away and join his coalition.

Israeli Channel 1 television network reported late Wednesday that six Knesset members of the Kadima Party have signed an affidavit, vowing to defect from the faction and join government coalition.

“I would be very, very glad if Tzipi Livni would agree to join, but I have no plans to give up on the attempt to expand the coalition base," Netanyahu said.

"If all of Kadima were in the government, this would strengthen Israel's standing internationally and on the Palestinian track," he added.

Livni voiced serious reservations following her Thursday meeting with Netanyahu and said the offer was a ploy by the premier.

"This is a transparent media spin," she asserted.