Netanyahu thanks voters as rightwing bloc extends Israeli election lead

Prime minister Yair Lapid says nothing final until last envelope is counted' as Likud's rightwing coalition partners see support surge

Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked voters for a huge vote of confidence" as his rightwing religious bloc extended its lead with about 87% of all votes counted in the country's fifth election in four years.

The former prime minister's Likud party appears to have added one seat to the 30 it held in the last Knesset. But a surge in support for his new far-right allies, the Religious Zionists, and what appears to be a poor showing for two pro-Arab rights parties and the leftwing Meretz party, means the scandal-plagued former leader is at present the most likely candidate to be able to form a coalition government in the aftermath of Tuesday's election.