Newly-elected Israeli lawmakers were sworn in amid uncertainties over the possibility of forming a new government two weeks after the country's fourth election in two years also ended in a stalemate. The swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday marked the inauguration of Israel's 24th Knesset or Parliament, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Tuesday, Israel’s president handed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the difficult task of trying to form a government from the country’s splintered parliament, giving the embattled leader a chance to prolong his lengthy term in office while he stands trial on corruption charges.

Nonetheless, Rivlin said that there was nothing in the law preventing Netanyahu from holding that office. After consulting with the 13 parties in the newly elected parliament, Rivlin said that Netanyahu had the best chance of any candidate forming a new government.

Now, the event began with an address by President Reuven Rivlin to the newly-elected 120 members of the Knesset. He urged the lawmakers to show leadership and end the prolonged political deadlock. "The Israeli people expect each one of you to show leadership," he said in televised remarks.

The decision means that Netanyahu now has 28 days to put together a coalition government, with a possibility of a two-week extension before Rivlin tasks another candidate or asks the Knesset to choose one.

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