Israel's foreign minister resigns

The Israeli Foreign Minister, David Levy, has announced his resignation from the government.

Mr Levy had been strongly critical of the peace policies pursued by Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Mr Levy said at a news conference at parliament that he had "no option" to resign because of the prime minister's concessions to the Palestinians over Jerusalem.

"It is not possible to be in government and to explain things that you oppose," Mr Levy said.

The resignation delivers a new blow to Mr Barak's already shaky government, which survived a vote of confidence on Monday.

The Israeli parliament has meanwhile begun a debate on legislation to call early elections.