FM set to head US strategic dialogue

Cabinet will be asked on Sunday to OK Lieberman's appointment, agreed upon in coalition talks.

Lieberman calm down 248.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Lieberman calm down 248.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The cabinet will be asked on Sunday to approve the appointment of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as the minister responsible for Israel's strategic dialogue with the US. The dialogue is a framework for multi-agency high-level discussions on strategic issues common to both countries that is held a number of times each year, and which of late has focused on the Iranian threat. The dialogue was established in 1999. Lieberman will be taking over this position from Shaul Mofaz, who was in charge of the dialogue under the Olmert government. One government source said it was logical that this job would go to the foreign minister, and not to another minister as a political "prize." Mofaz was transportation minister in the Olmert government. The appointment of Lieberman to this position was part of the Likud's coalition agreement with Lieberman's Israel Beiteinu party. The cabinet will also be asked at its weekly meeting on Sunday to establish a ministerial committee to deal with the diplomatic and legal issues stemming from lawsuits filed against Israelis for alleged war crimes. This committee will also spearhead efforts to reach agreements with various governments to limit the exploitation of universal jurisdiction by groups interested in hitting out against Israel.