Israeli FM Lieberman resigns amid pending indictment

Updated: 2012-12-14 23:35

(Xinhua)

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JERUSALEM - Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Friday afternoon that he has decided to resign his duty as foreign minister following Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein's decision to indict him on charges of breach of trust and fraud.

"I have decided to resign from my post as foreign minister and ask the Knesset (Israeli parliament) to immediately remove my immunity so I could clear my name and face from these charges quickly," Lieberman said in a statement.

The foreign minister, who on Thursday evening denied his intention to quit amid the pending indictment against him, said he has changed his mind throughout the day in which he counseled with his lawyers and members of his election campaign.

The statement also specified that the resignation will have no bearing on Israel Beytenu's election campaign for the January 22 elections.