Israeli Minister for regional Cooperation, Shimon Perez, resigned from the cabinet Sunday in preparation for his race for president, reported The Associated Press.
Perez' resignation from the post paves the way for him to take the presidency. He was expected to win Monday's vote in the 120-member parliament, which is vested with electing the largely ceremonial post, said the agency.
Under Israeli law, he would have had to resign before taking the presidential oath. His Cabinet resignation does not take effect until 48 hours after it is submitted.
Most observers think that Perez, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate with an international reputation, will comfortably beat his opponent Moshe Katsav, who has held only second-rank ministerial posts in Likud governments.
However, the presidential election has produced surprises in the past, said the agency – Albawaba.com
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