Israeli cabinet approved on Sunday the proposal by Israel Beiteinu party chairman and Knesset (Parliament) member Avigdor Lieberman, to reform the system of governance, as 12 ministers voted in favor, 11 voted against it and one abstained.

The ministers of Shas and Labor Party are strongly opposed to the change and voted against the proposal. According to it, the prime minister would be elected directly and the president's office would be abolished with his or her authority transferred to the prime minister.

The bill will now undergo the legislative procedure in the Knesset enjoying the government's support.

Labor Minister-without-Portfolio Eitan Cabel said earlier on Sunday that if Lieberman's bill were passed, the Labor party would have to consider whether to leave the coalition.

Israel Beiteinu has demanded coalition support for the legislation as a condition for joining the government. Israel Beiteinu moved closer to joining the coalition over the weekend, with Lieberman announcing that his party would make a decision by the end of this week.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he had a "great hope" that Israel Beiteinu would join the coalition by the end of the week.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Sunday that Israel Beiteinu should join the coalition to ensure the government can serve a full term in office.

Olmert is keen on having the Lieberman proposal approved by the cabinet so that it can be brought to the Knesset for a preliminary reading, because Lieberman insisted that he is unlikely to join the coalition unless his proposal is approved.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2006)