Netanyahu to appoint FM Sa'ar as interior minister, Likud confirms

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will submit the appointment of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar as the new interior minister to the Cabinet for approval on Wednesday, the PM's Likud party confirmed on Tuesday.

Sa'ar is expected to keep hold of the Foreign Minister role in addition to his new ministry.

He previously held the role of interior minister from 2013-2014.

Before that, Netanyahu offered the interior minister role to MK Ofir Katz, Likud said.

However, Katz, the coalition whip, declined the offer in order to focus on coordinating the Netanyahu-led bloc's "efforts in the Knesset," Likud's statement read.

The interior minister role has been vacant since Shas MK Moshe Arbel resigned in May.