Israel’s Yair Lapid congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on election victory

Longest serving prime minister, who is still facing corruption charges, is expected to lead far-right coalition

Israel's prime minister, Yair Lapid, has called Benjamin Netanyahu to offer his congratulations on the opposition leader's election win following the conclusion of vote counting in this week's election.

Netanyahu, chair of the conservative Likud party and Israel's longest serving prime minister, is expected to begin an unprecedented third term as premier after holding coalition negotiations with his religious and far-right allies on forming a government.