Lieberman Officially Resigns as Israeli FM

Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, tendered his official resignation on Sunday over fraud and breach of trust charges filed against him.

Lieberman's resignation goes into effect Tuesday. He said he hopes to take "the briefest possible leave."

He announced Friday that he would resign to fight the charges, levelled a day earlier.

He remains on the slate of candidates running with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for election to parliament on Jan. 22, but his legal woes could complicate his hopes to serve as a minister in the next government.

Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu and Netanyahu's Likud Party recently joined forces in the election, enabling the ultranationalist politician to position himself as Netanyahu's heir.

The list is expected to lead a new government, despite Lieberman's troubles. But coalition-building negotiations would likely be complicated.

Israeli media said Sunday that Lieberman is hoping for a quick return to government, but his bid for a quick plea deal could be a gamble.

"He is seeking a quick and easy plea bargain that would let him off with almost nothing and would bring him back into the cabinet within a few months, where he will choose whatever portfolio he desires -- defense, foreign affairs or finance," the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper wrote in an editorial.

The daily pointed out that Lieberman's main concern will be to avoid a conviction with a finding of "moral turpitude" and imprisonment, which could prevent him from returning to parliament.

"Lieberman is not worried about a conviction, but the severity and type of moral turpitude that might be attached to it," the editorial said.