(Xinhua) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday granted Kadima leader Tzipi Livni an extension of 14 days to finalize the formation of her new government. Livni arrived at the President's Residence at around 1100 a.m. (0900 GMT) and met with Peres for an hour and 20 minutes, reported the website of local daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
She made a briefing with Peres on the progress of the coalition talks, and asked him for a fortnight's extension in order to form her new government.
According to Israeli Basic Law, Livni's initial 28-day window for assembling the new cabinet has elapsed on Monday. The law allows her a 14-day extension.
But should she remain unable to form a new government by Nov. 3, or should the cabinet she presents the Knesset (parliament) with fail to gain a vote of confidence, Peres would be within his rights to assign another Knesset member (MK) to form a government in 28 days.
If this fails, a third MK can be given the role within two days, with 14 days to form a government. If this attempt fails, fresh parliamentary elections will be held within 90 days.
Peres tasked Livni with forming a new government in mid September, following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation and her subsequent election to head the ruling Kadima party.