President Rivlin: 'I'll pass mandate to Gantz immediately'

President Reuven Rivlin will pass the mandate to forming a government to Blue and White leader MK Benny Gantz, read a statement from the president's office on Monday.

"President Rivlin received Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he is returning the mandate to form the government to the president because he was unable to do," read the statement.

"In accordance with the provisions of Basic Law: The Government (2001), the Director General of Beit HaNasi (President's residence), Harel Tubi, will speak to all Knesset factions to inform them that the president intends to transfer the mandate for forming the government, as soon as possible, to Chairman of Blue and White, MK Benny Gantz and to make available to him the 28 days allocated to do so under the law".