Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu made “illegitimate use” of his power and saw favours as “currency”, a prosecutor has alleged at his corruption trial, writes BBC.

Liat Ben Ari told a court in Jerusalem that he sought “improper benefits from owners of major media in Israel in order to advance his personal affairs”.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

The hearing comes as Israel’s president meets parliamentarians to ask whom they support to form the next government following last month"s election.

It failed to end the long period of political stalemate that has led to four elections in two years, leaving both Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and the parties opposed to him remaining in power short of a majority.