July 4, 2022
2 mins read

Lapid holds first cabinet meeting

Israel’s interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid has pledged to run a functional government despite another round of political instability that triggered new elections…reports Asian Lite News

In the first cabinet meeting since Lapid took office as interim Prime Minister on Friday, he sat next to his predecessor Naftali Bennett. The two rotated on Friday under a power-sharing deal they agreed upon in June 2021, after their ideologically diverse eight-party coalition government collapsed only a year after it took office.

“Our goal in the coming months will be to manage the government as if there were no elections … This is what I expect from my fellow Ministers,” he told the Ministers at the beginning of the meeting.

“This government will continue to act for the good of the citizens,” he said, adding “we will make decisions, we will take actions, and we will continue to increase the economic, diplomatic and security strength of Israel.”

Lapid encountered his first security challenge as Prime Minister on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Three drones, identified by the Israeli military as belonging to the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, approached the airspace over Israel’s territorial waters, near the recently built Karish natural gas platform. An Israeli fighter jet and a Navy missile cruiser intercepted the drones, the Israeli military said in a statement.

The interim Prime Minister said Israel would take the necessary measures to thwart threats and defend itself, its people and its assets.

Lapid also noted that Hezbollah is still pursuing terrorism, which makes it more difficult for Lebanon to settle an agreement on a maritime border (with Israel).

He will serve as the country’s interim Prime Minister until a new government is formed after the elections scheduled on November 1.

The parliament, or Knesset, voted to dissolve itself last week after the coalition lost its majority in the parliament, sending Israelis to the ballots for the fifth time in less than four years.

ALSO READ:Israel parliament dissolves

Lapid is expected to embark on his first diplomatic journey as Prime Minister on Tuesday, travelling to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

In mid-July, he will host the US President Joe Biden, whose Middle East trip includes stops in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Previous Story

Expert alarms presence of new Omicron sub-variant in India

Next Story

Google India took down 4L bad content pieces in May

Latest from Arab News

GCC condemns Israeli airstrikes in Syria

GCC SG Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that these airstrikes represent a continuation of efforts by the Israeli occupation forces to undermine and destabilise regional and international security Secretary General of the Gulf

Trump due in Saudi, UAE amid new tariffs

The GCC bloc, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, has been hit with a 10% tariff, placing them among the lower-tiered rates US President Donald Trump has

Pakistan Day celebrated in Oman

On the occasion of Pakistan Day on March 23, a grand ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat, Oman.  The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran

Cleveland Clinic, G42 revolutionise healthcare with AI

The collaboration aims to enhance patient care, drive medical innovation, and optimise healthcare operations through AI-powered solutions In a groundbreaking partnership, Cleveland Clinic and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence (AI) leader G42 have

UAE, Egypt Renew Ties

The two leaders exchanged greetings and best wishes for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan and engaged in cordial conversation reflecting the strength of the close ties between their two
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Al Aqsa raid puts Israel in trouble

History has proven that aggression and occupation will never lead

Sharjah Opts For Sustainable Tourism

Sharjah Tourism highlights progress in major tourism projects and future