Israeli cabinet approves Avigdor Lieberman's return as foreign mininster [View all]
Source: Telegraph UK
Avigdor Lieberman, one of the most belligerent and uncompromising foreign ministers in Israel's history, is to return to his old job just as the country's ties with the outside world reach new levels of sensitivity over negotiations with the Palestinians and Iran's nuclear program me.
The Israeli cabinet voted on Sunday to reinstate Mr Lieberman, leader of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, after his acquittal last week on corruption charges. His appointment is expected to be confirmed by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on Monday.
Mr Lieberman, 55, a burly former nightclub bouncer, stepped aside as Israel's leading diplomatic representative last December to contest fraud and breach of trust charges. He had been accused of promoting an ambassador who improperly tipped him off concerning a separate corruption police inquiry into his affairs .
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, agreed to keep the foreign minister's portfolio open for Mr Lieberman while he fought to clear his name. Mr Lieberman once served as Mr Netanyahu's chief-of-staff and is thought to have ambitions to succeed him in the top job.
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10439150/Israeli-cabinet-approves-Avigdor-Liebermans-return-as-foreign-mininster.html
Isaac Herzog, a Labour parliamentarian, called Mr Lieberman "the worst foreign minister in Israel's history" and added: "I don't understand why he should be returned to power."
= new reply since forum marked as read