Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned to power with a hardline coalition government after winning November's national election.

Netanyahu and his government were sworn in on Thursday, after his right-wing Likud Party agreed to form a coalition with far-right and religious parties.

He returns as prime minister after spending a year and a half out of office.

Netanyahu's party secured a majority in parliament in Israel's fifth election in three-and-a-half years.

The new administration has appointed far-right lawmakers to key Cabinet posts, including finance and national security ministers. This allows Netanyahu to lead his country's most hardline government to date.

Arab nations have expressed concern that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could escalate under a Netanyahu administration. They say that is possible if he further expands Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Such an action would violate international law.