Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak says he's leaving politics

JERUSALEM - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak says he is quitting politics and will not run in general elections in January.

Barak, who is also a former prime minister, says he'll stay on in his current post leading the Defence Ministry until after a new government is formed following the Jan. 22 elections.

Barak made the announcement today at an abruptly called news conference.