Israeli president Isaac Herzog has asked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government in a blow to Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mr Eisenkot vowed on Saturday to help form a new government, after Mr Herzog chose him for the task over the incumbent prime minister.

‘Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy,’ Mr Eisenkot said in his first reaction to the announcement of his designation.

Read more: Netanyahu’s leadership threatened as his strongest rival is asked to form a government by Israel’s president