AG: Netanyahu can hold FM post for Lieberman

There is no legal impediment to holding the Foreign Ministry portfolio for Avigdor Lieberman who is currently on trial for charges of fraud and breach of trust, according to the attorney general.

In a statement issued on Wednesday Yehuda Weinstein said he sees no reason for his intervention at this point.

Related stories:

• Coalition crisis has Likud on its toes
  
• Bennett slated to get finance portfolio
  
• Likud to keep Foreign Ministry
  

Weinstein stated that there is little chance that the prospect of Lieberman returning to his post will affect the testimonies of Foreign Ministry workers in his trial.

The law does not stipulate that a public servant cannot resume his responsibilities regardless of his trial's outcomes, the attorney general remarked.

He further stated that a minister can join the government even after it is formed and can switch portfolios with other ministers subject to the Knesset's approval. There is nothing keeping the prime minister from holding an additional portfolio either, he added.

Meanwhile, political figures involved in the coalition negotiations said that the main point of contention revolves around the Foreign Ministry portfolio.

A source at the Likud said that Lapid is determined to get the portfolio but that the party will not negotiate on that matter. "If Lapid would take the Finance Portfolio we could have a government within two hours because the rest is negotiable."

Sources in Yesh Atid said that it is the party's intention to lead Israel's foreign policy "in such sensitive times."

Aviel Magnezi contributed to this report

• Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter
  

• Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop