Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel's new foreign minister on Wednesday. The 53-year-old right-winger took the standard parliamentary oath a day after Prime Minister Sharon called an early election.
Netanyahu replaces Shimon Peres, who quit along with five other Labour ministers last week in a dispute over funding for Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian lands.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said he hoped Netanyahu would stick to peace accords he signed with the Palestinians during his previous stints in the Israeli government.
Meanwhile, Israeli parliament (Knesset) committees held discusssions Wednesday to fix a date for early elections. Some legislators are pressing to hold the vote on January, 28, 2003. The decision is expected next week. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
