Netanyahu, Barak intent on forming Likud-Labor unity gov't

     Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu will ask President Shimon Peres on Friday morning for a two-week extension to form a government, to allow him to pursue efforts to bring the Labor Party into the coalition. A source close to Netanyahu said although the Likud was close to an agreement with parties representing 61 Knesset members, he wants to build as broad a coalition as possible. The Labor Party is said to be up in arms over whether to join the Netanyahu government, and will hold a secret ballot at a convention at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds on Tuesday on party leader Ehud Barak's recommendation that it do so. Labor MKs opposed to the move met Thursday night at party headquarters in Tel Aviv. Labor sources say the party is evenly split on the issue. (23,32)