On the equilibrium of two oppositely charged masses in general relativity

It is shown that the equilibrium configurations of two spherical masses carrying charges of opposite sign that are present in Bonnor’s approximate model for two charged particles and also in the exact double-Reissner-Nordstrom solution are formed due to the additional electric field of the repulsive character induced in the black-hole constituent by its overcharged partner. A three-parameter family of such configurations is pointed out.