Israeli Court Acquits Former Foreign Minister

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (C) smiles as he waits to hear the verdict in the corruption charges against him at the Magistrate Court in Jerusalem, Nov. 6, 2013.

Former Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman is expected to return to his post, after a court acquitted him in a corruption trial.

Lieberman stepped down to face allegations that he appointed an ambassador in exchange for information about a police investigation into his own affairs. A court ruled Wednesday Lieberman was not guilty on all charges.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement congratulating Lieberman and welcoming his return to the government without specifying his role.

Netanyahu has kept the foreign minister post open pending the outcome of the trial, and Lieberman is widely expected to resume that post.

His return could complicate ongoing peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Lieberman has expressed skepticism about the three-month-old talks.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.