ISRAEL: NEW PM EHUD BARAK TAKES OFFICE скачать в хорошем качестве

ISRAEL: NEW PM EHUD BARAK TAKES OFFICE

(7 Jul 1999) English/Nat Israel's new government is up and running as celebrations for the new leadership were underway in Jerusalem. The handover to Ehud Barak, who officially took over from Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's new Prime Minister was immediately followed by an exchange of cabinet ministers. Other ceremonies in Jerusalem were taking place for the newly appointed Foreign Minister, and another celebration for Barak, as he is assuming the role of Defence Minister as well as Prime Minister. New cabinet ministers in finance, religious affairs, industry and trade, as well as public security were also taking their positions. Israel's new government was being celebrated on Wednesday with handover ceremonies for the new Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Defence Post, among others. At the official handover, Ehud Barak met outgoing Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Barak expressed an awareness of the challenges that lie ahead for him and a readiness to assume his new role. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) "I am aware that today the responsibility is on me. There is great expectation that we, from this room, from this building, will know how to navigate the state of Israel and the region to security and peace." SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister Barak hugged his parents as the celebration took place and the new Prime Minister and his wife shook hands and toasted the new leadership with outgoing Prime Minister Netanyahu, and his wife. The Foreign Ministry was also in the midst of change as David Levi was stepping in for outgoing Ariel Sharon. Sharon was also considered Netanyahu's right hand man. As he assumed his new position, David Levi spoke to the crowd about the importance of the peace process. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) "We need to strengthen our relations with Egypt and Jordan and to create a confident atmosphere with the Palestinians too." SUPERCAPTION: David Levi, Israeli Foreign Minister There was also a celebration for the new Defence Minister, who happens to also be the new Prime Minister. Barak, former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, is taking on the defence post as well. During ceremonies, Barak greeted Leah Rabin, the widow of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Barak was a protege of the former Prime Minister and served under him in the army. Barak inspected soldiers and marched beside them during the ceremony. In his first order of business, Barak pledged to negotiate with all of Israel's Arab neighbours along with the Palestinians, apparently trying to dispel Palestinian fears that Israel was prioritising peace with the Syrians. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...