TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Thursday appointed Yuval Diskin to head the Shabak security service, effective in May.
Diskin replaces Avraham Diechter, who has held the job for five years.
The Shabak plays a key role in fighting the Palestinian uprising. Its successes in stopping militant attacks before they are perpetrated is one of the major reasons for the drop in Israeli casualties.
Diskin, 49, had been Diechter's deputy for three years.
He began his career as a spy handler in the West Bank, was in Lebanon during the war there and then rose in the Arab Affairs Branch.
He had been responsible for security coordination with the Palestinians over a number of years and knows the heads of the Palestinian security services.
