Israeli foreign minister resists calls to resign

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's powerful foreign minister resisted calls to resign on Thursday after he was charged with breach of trust in a fraud and money-laundering case threatening to upend the Israeli political system just a month before parliamentary elections.

Mr Avigdor Lieberman, who escaped more serious charges, said on Thursday night that the law does not require him to resign. "According to my legal counsel, I do not have to resign, but at the end of the day I will make a final decision together with my lawyers," he said at a news conference.

Mr Lieberman, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, gave no timeframe for his decision and hinted it could come after parliamentary elections on Jan 22. He also denied all accusations and alleged they were politically motivated.

The decision by Israel's Attorney-General, Mr Yehuda Weinstein, earlier on Thursday capped an investigation that stretched back more than a decade and several politicians called on Mr Lieberman to quit.