Polls have opened in Israel in what is expected to be a close contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party and a centre-left alliance.

The centre-left Zionist Union has promised to repair relations with the Palestinians as well as the international community.

Mr Netanyahu has vowed not to allow the creation of a Palestinian state if he wins a fourth term.

Neither side is expected to get more than a quarter of the votes.

Polls opened at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and are due to close at 22:00.

While results could be declared soon after the close of polls, a definitive conclusion appears likely to take some time.

A lengthy period of negotiations over the formation of the next coalition government could follow.

(BBC)