Barak forms coalition negotiation team to meet with Likud today

By ITAMAR SHARON
Labor chairman Ehud Barak announced Sunday that he was forming a team to negotiate the party's terms for joining the coalition with Likud. According to a statement by Barak's office, the team will include Histadrut Labor Federation head Ofer Eini, Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon and lawyer Alon Gellert. The team was set to meet with Likud representatives before the day was out. Any agreement reached between the sides would be brought before the party convention for approval on Tuesday, the statement said. "The country needs unity and not a narrow right-wing government," Barak said. "I call on Kadima to also launch negotiations with Likud."