Transportation and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz announced Tuesday evening that he is "on vacation" and has not resigned from the Cabinet and from politics. He said he would return to the Cabinet in early October and that therefore there is no need to appoint a replacement. However, Mofaz added he still has not decided on his future in politics.

He did not comment on whether he would accept a more prestigious position from Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is trying to form a new coalition government.

Mofaz stated after his narrow loss in the Kadima leadership election that he is quitting politics.