Jerusalem  - Israel's cabinet approved Sunday the appointment of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as minister responsible for Israel's strategic dialogue with the United States, the Jewish state's main ally.

Set up in 1999, the dialogue is a framework for high-level discussions on issues common to both countries.

Recently, the talks have focused on Iran, which Israel sees as its biggest existential threat, given Tehran's nuclear ambitions and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated statements that Israel should be wiped from the map.

Lieberman takes over from Shaul Mofaz, who was transport minister in the previous government, and is now a front-bench opposition legislator. (dpa)