Netanyahu rival Gantz accepts mandate to try to form Israeli government

Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, speaks during a nomination ceremony at the President's residency in Jerusalem October 23, 2019 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Former military chief Benny Gantz received an official mandate on Wednesday to try to form Israel's next government, but with no easy path to ending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long hold on power.

After inconclusive elections in April and September, Gantz's nomination marked the first time since 2008 that someone other than Netanyahu, 70, has been asked by Israel's president to build a ruling coalition.