Coalition negotiations: Barak's faction gets 4 portfolios

The coalition negotiation between the Likud and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's new Independence faction has concluded.

The parties decided that the Labor dissidents will receive four portfolios: Barak will remain defense minister, Shalom Simhon will be appointed industry, trade and labor minister, Matan Vilnai will be in charge of the home front and minorities, and Orit Noked will serve as agriculture minister. (Attila Somfalvi)