Netanyahu, Livni 'discuss security issues'

PM, Opposition leader meet for first time in two months; spokesmen: They discussed security issues.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
netanyahu livni 248 aj (photo credit: Ariel Jerozlimski [file])
netanyahu livni 248 aj
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozlimski [file])
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Opposition leader Tzipi Livni for the first time since April at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday after weeks of failed attempts to coordinate a meeting between the two. Spokesmen for Netanyahu and Livni issued a statement after the hour-long meeting saying that they discussed security issues. Neither side would give more details. Both sides insisted that they did not discuss recent calls in Kadima to enter the coalition or any other political developments. Neither Netanyahu nor Livni updated their factions about the meeting. The prime minister is legally obligated to periodically update the opposition leader, but they had not met since he briefed her before she visited Washington at the end of April. Two weeks ago, a meeting between the two was cancelled, allegedly because Netanyahu was afraid he might have contracted swine flu. Netanyahu's office said he cancelled all his meetings on the day he was supposed to convene with Livni following concern that the wife of Meir Kalifi, his military secretary, had contracted the flu and then spread it to the prime minister. Netanyahu, Kalifi and his wife underwent tests and were found to be healthy. That was the third time a meeting between Netanyahu and Livni was cancelled since Netanyahu's government was formed. Herb Keinon contributed to this report.