Netanyahu takes over Israel’s defense ministry

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the office of the country’s defense minister.

Netanyahu announced on national TV yesterday that he would take over the defense post following the resignation of Avigdor Lieberman.

He stressed that the country’s security is beyond politics or personal interests, TASS reported.

The office of the country’s defense minister has been vacant since November 14 when the former minister, Avigdor Lieberman stepped down after his party, Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home), had withdrawn from the government coalition over disagreement with the tough policy towards the Gaza Strip.