News In Brief

Two Israeli political leaders agree to team government

Leaders of Israel's two major parties said last night they had agreed in substance on the formation of a bipartisan unity government and expected to seek a parliamentary vote of confidence next week.

Labor Party leader Shimon Peres will serve as prime minister for the first 25 months and then hand the post over to Likud bloc leader Yitzhak Shamir for a similar period. Some minor problems remain.