Bar-Lev, Dichter try to resolve row

A spokeswoman for Southern District police chief Cmdr. Uri Bar-Lev played down a report on Israel Radio saying that Public Security Minister Avi Dichter had overturned a decision by Insp.-Gen. David Cohen and offered Bar-Lev a new posting in the police during a meeting on Wednesday. "What I can say is that they [Dichter and Bar-Lev] met today, and they will meet again on Sunday," said Sarit Philipson, Bar-Lev's spokeswoman. On Monday, Cohen released a statement saying Bar-Lev would "complete his duties and retire from the force" in 2009. Sources close to Bar-Lev immediately expressed outrage, insisting that Bar-Lev had learned about his "retirement" on the police e-mail network and had no intention of retiring. Hours later, Dichter distanced himself from Cohen's announcement, saying he had not approved Bar-Lev's retirement.