Israeli foreign minister officially resigns

World December 16, 2012

Israeli foreign minister officially resigns

Photo: AP Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the media during an event in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Israel’s powerful foreign minister resisted calls to resign after he was charged Thursday with breach of trust for actions that allegedly compromised a criminal investigation into his business dealings, throwing the country's election campaign into disarray just weeks before the vote.

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's foreign minister has tendered his official resignation over fraud and breach of trust charges filed against him.

Avigdor Lieberman's resignation goes into effect Tuesday. He said Sunday he hopes to take "the briefest possible leave." Lieberman announced Friday that he would resign to fight the charges, leveled a day earlier.

He remains on the slate of candidates running with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for election to parliament on Jan. 22, but his legal woes could complicate his hopes to serve as a minister in the next government.

Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu and Netanyahu's Likud Party recently joined forces in the election, enabling the ultranationalist politician to position himself as Netanyahu's heir. The list is expected to lead a new government, despite Lieberman's troubles. But coalition-building negotiations would likely be complicated.

Subjects
People
- Avigdor Lieberman,
- Benjamin Netanyahu
Locations
- Israel,
- Middle East
Organisations
- Israel government

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