Communications Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) has accepted Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s recommendation for him to take on the position of Interior Minister, following the resignation of Gidon Sa’ar.

The news put to rest speculation that the Likud veteran was set to leave the Knesset to become Israel’s next ambassador to the United Nations.

Writing on his Facebook page earlier this afternoon Erdan announced: “Just a few minutes ago I met with the prime minister and informed him that I accept his recommendation as Interior Minister.

“The Interior Ministry is an important and influential ministry which is ‘involved’ with citizens of the state from the moment they are born, shapes the face of the country… and even determines the character of the Shabbat,” he said.

“There is a lot of work in front of me and I guarantee that I will learn in depth all the issues before I formulate my policies.”

He thanked his predecessor Gidon Sa’ar “for all his work for the sake of the public and the country.”

“It’s not easy for me to leave the Ministry of Communications… I am happy at my success in completing many important tasks, and those I have not yet completed I have outlined and am sure that the next minister will complete the tasks which remain open,” he added.