By ANDY SOLTIS

Last updated: 3:59 am
February 21, 2009
Posted: 2:42 am
February 21, 2009

Israeli hard-liner Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday was tapped to form a new government – a development experts said was likely to complicate President Obama’s peacemaking efforts in the region.

Tzipi Livni’s left-center party placed first in a photo-finish election on Feb. 10 – but in a break with tradition, Netanyahu was named the prime minister-designate because right-wing parties took a majority in parliament.

About two thirds of Israelis would support a broad coalition, according to the first post-election polls.

Netanyahu, head of the hawkish Likud party, opposes concessions to the Palestinians, including returning the West Bank, halting settlement building and dividing Jerusalem.