Lieberman to join Israeli government, become new defence minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday afternoon with Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman to discuss adding his party to the governing coalition and even offered him the positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday. 

Lieberman accepted the prime minister's offer to take the defense portfolio, and the two hope to finish negotiations to join the coalition by Friday morning.

If Yisrael Beytenu joins the coalition, the current minister of immigrant absorption, Ze'ev Elkin, is expected to receive the limited economy portfolio including just industry and trade. 

Senior officials involved in the negotiations estimated, "This will be closed on within 24 hours. The chances that Lieberman will join (the coalition) are very high. It's nearly finished."

Netanyahu's Likud party announced officially following the meeting with Lieberman that "The meeting was straightforward, was run with a good attitude, and, at its conclusion, it was decided to establish negotiation teams. The prime minister is updating the leader of the opposition on the details."

Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin said following the meeting, "I welcome the positive progress in talks to add Yisrael Beytenu to the government. I'm convinced that we'll be able to reach mutual understandings and agreements on important agenda items."

Netanyahu also spoke with current Minister of Defense Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon by telephone to inform him that his position had been offered to Lieberman. 

Source : MENA