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Lieberman cleared of corruption Lieberman cleared of corruption
(34 minutes later)
Israel's former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has been cleared of corruption charges by a court in Jerusalem.Israel's former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has been cleared of corruption charges by a court in Jerusalem.
Mr Lieberman, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could now return to his post as head of the foreign ministry.Mr Lieberman, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could now return to his post as head of the foreign ministry.
The charges related to his alleged involvement in the promotion of Israel's former ambassador to Belarus.The charges related to his alleged involvement in the promotion of Israel's former ambassador to Belarus.
A guilty verdict had threatened to shake up Israel's ruling coalition.A guilty verdict had threatened to shake up Israel's ruling coalition.
Mr Lieberman, 55, who stepped down after the charges of fraud and breach of trust were filed, heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party.
Outspoken
His party ran on a list with Likud which narrowly won general elections in January.
He had denied all counts and told reporters after the verdict that, after 17 years of allegations, "I want to put this chapter behind me".
Prosecutors had accused Mr Lieberman of intervening to promote Zeev Ben Aryeh, the former ambassador to Belarus, to a post in Latvia.
They argued it was a reward for a tip-off about a separate criminal investigation he was facing.
If he had been convicted and sentenced to more than three months in prison, he would have been be forced to give up his parliamentary seat.
But correspondents say Wednesday's acquittal paves the way for his political comeback.
Since his resignation, Mr Netanyahu has served as interim foreign minister, keeping the post open.
One of Israel's most outspoken politicians, Mr Lieberman was born in Moldova and was one of the million Israelis who immigrated from the former Soviet Union.
To the right of Mr Netanyahu politically, he has been a staunch critic of the Palestinian Authority and its leader Mahmoud Abbas.