Israeli foreign policy feud resolved

Jerusalem (Reuter) - The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Foreign Minister, David Levy, yesterday resolved their feud over who controls foreign policy and decided to form a joint committee to lead peace negotiations with Arab parties.

"It was agreed that a ministerial steering committee to lead the negotiations on the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese tracks would be established," the Prime Minister's office said.

"The committee will be headed by the Prime Minister together with the Foreign Minister and acting Prime Minister David Levy and Defence Minister Yitzhak Mordechai," it said.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Levy have been warring with each other for years. Relations were bitter the last time Mr Levy was Foreign Minister in the Likud-led government in 1990-92 and Mr Netanyahu was his deputy.

The two men also agreed that Lieutenant General Reserve Dan Shomron would lead the steering committee to talks with the Palestinians.

Mr Levy's aides have complained that since his election in May Mr Netanyahu has denied the Foreign Ministry a role in peace moves with Israel's Arab neighbours. Mr Netanyahu insists it is his job to lead the country.

Mr Netanyahu kept Mr Levy and officials in his ministry from making a trip to Jordan last month. Mr Levy, head of the centre-right Gesher party, retaliated by boycotting ministerial meetings.