Israel´s parliament confirms Netanyahu as PM

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-01-2009 15:40

Israel's parliament has confirmed the appointment of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister and approved his coalition Cabinet to establish the new government.

Israel's Prime Minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu, addresses the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of his new government in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.(AP Photo/David Silverman, Pool)

The Parliament approved Benjamin Netanyahu's new government by a vote of 69 to 45 on Tuesday.

Netanyahu formally took over the prime minister's post from Ehud Olmert.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "I Benjamin Netanyahu, son of Tzila may she rest in peace and Ben Zion, may he have a long and healthy life, commit as prime minister to be faithful to the state of Israel and its laws, to carry out faithfully my duties as prime minister and to carry out the decisions of the Knesset."

Each of his ministers took an oath of office before the house.

The 59-year-old Netanyahu, son of a prominent historian and brother of a war hero, is returning to the premiership a decade after being forced out amid a string of failures.

Netanyahu says Israel and moderate Arab states should find common ground fighting radical Islam and the extremist regime in Tehran.

A senior aide has suggested Netanyahu accept the much- hailed two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ahead of a planned trip to the United States.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei