Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been charged with bribery, breach of trust and fraud, triggering fresh uncertainty in a country that has held two inconclusive elections this year.

An official statement to that effect came from Israel's attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit.

Netanyahu, who is under no obligation to step down, has denied any wrongdoing.

He is due to make a statement soon.

Netanyahu is the first incumbent Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime.

Ehud Olmert, his predecessor, had resigned before he was indicted for corruption. He went on to serve 16 months in prison.