Barak Denies Accepting Defense Portfolio in Sharon GovernmentOutgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Thursday afternoon denied media reports that he has agreed to serve as defense minister in a joint government with Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon."Prime Minister Ehud Barak had not decided on the issue and once he decides, he will announce it as soon as possible," David Baker, Barak's foreign media adviser, told Xinhua a short while ago. Earlier, media reports said Barak, who was trounced by Sharon in the prime ministerial election on February 6, decided to accept the post of defense minister, a move that may pave the way for his Labor party to join a national unity government with Sharon, of the right-wing Likud party. The two parties reportedly have agreed on most details of a coalition, but the final announcement has been hold up by Barak's indecision on whether to take up the defense portfolio. Barak announced after defeat at the night of the election day that he will resign as leader of the Labor party and member of parliament and take a break from politics, but has since obviously rued the improvisational decision. However, he was worried that changing his minds again will damage his credibility and image. Labor lawmaker Weizman Shiri, one of Barak's confidants, revealed recently that Barak may announce his final decision Saturday night. |
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