Jerusalem  - By a vote of 69 in favour to 45 against, Israel's Knesset approved Tuesday night the government presented by incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

There were no abstentions, but five legislators from the Labour Party, a coalition ally of Netanyahu's, refused to participate in the vote, although they were present in the plenum.

Another lawmaker, Arab-Israeli legislator Ahmed Tibi, was absent from the Knesset during the voting.

Following the vote Netanyahu took his oath of office, followed by his ministers. (dpa)