Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today relinquished the role of Foreign Minister and handed it to a right-wing rival Yisrael Katz from within his Likud party.<br />''  <br />''The move comes ahead of April 9 elections after an Israeli NGO filed a plea in the court arguing that Netanyahu, who is also health and defence minister, holds too many portfolios.<br />'' <br />''A Likud spokesman said, Mr Netanyahu intended to appoint Katz who is currently transportation and intelligence Minister, as acting foreign minister.<br />'' <br />''Katz holds right-wing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has said conditions are not in place now for a two-state solution.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The foreign minister portfolio is viewed as more prestigious and high-profile. Exit Polls suggest Mr Netanyahu is on track to win the elections despite a series of corruption investigations against him. He has been Prime Minister for a total of nearly 13 years. </span><br />