JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Israel's former chief of staff has accepted an offer to
become the nation's new defense minister.Shaul Mofaz has agreed to an offer by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to
become Israel's defense minister. Mofaz's appointment will be submitted to
the Knesset, or Israel's parliament, on Monday.Mofaz replaces outgoing Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who led
the Labor Party in a walkout last week. The Labor Party move sparked efforts
by Sharon to ensure a coalition majority of largely right-wing parties."Shaul Mofaz tonight notified that he accepts the position of defense
minister," Sharon's office said in a statement on late Saturday. "The prime
minister intends to bring the nomination for approval to the Knesset on
Monday. The prime minister said he is confident that the rich experience of
Mofaz will help him carry out his position successfully during this
difficult period."
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