Netanyahu Says Nearly All Right-Wing Parties Vowed to Support Him as PM - Report

Incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said Wednesday that he has already started talks with the leaders of right-wing parties in order to form a coalition, adding that nearly all of the parties promised to support him as the country's prime minister in the upcoming term.

On Tuesday, Israel held a parliamentary election. Soon after the first exit polls were released, both Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz, leader of Israel's Blue and White Alliance, were quick to declare victory for their corresponding parties in the heated election.

"This night I have already started the talks with leaders of right-wing parties, our natural partners. This night they have already vowed to recommend me [to the president] for forming the next government [as prime minister]," Netanyahu told his supporters.    

READ MORE: Israel's Likud Party, Blue and White Bloc Neck and Neck in First Exit Polls

"The right-wing alliance headed by Likud will govern in the country for the next four years," he added.    

Exit polls have shown that Netanyahu's Likud Party lags slightly behind the Blue and White bloc, which is also known as Kahol Lavan. However, the prime minister's party, according to polls, has a better chance to enlist the support of lawmakers in the new Knesset. 

However, hours later, two Israeli TV stations changed their forecasts, predicting a narrow victory for Netanyahu's Likud, according to AP.

Channels 12 and 13 are projecting Likud will capture 35 seats in the 120-seat parliament, compared to 34 for Gantz's Blue and White. Earlier, Channel 13 had projected the parties deadlocked at 36 seats apiece, while Channel 12 gave Gantz a solid 37-33 lead, AP reported. 

Official results are expected later Wednesday.