JERUSALEM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Labor party has agreed to hold seven minister portfolios, including defense in a future coalition government, the Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday.

    The headway was made after a secret meeting Thursday evening between Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Labor Chairman Amir Peretz, at which the two decided that Labor would receive seven portfolios in the new government, including the defense and agriculture ministries, said the post.

    In light of the current agreement, the financial ministerial portfolio remains in the hand of Kadima, while Peretz will hold that of defense.

    Labor members also claimed that they received the education minister portfolio as well, while a source close to Olmert said that a final agreement on the issue had not yet been reached.

    Negotiating teams of both parties will meet again Saturday evening to iron out crucial issues still unresolved, including minimum wage raise, pension benefits and the date of passage of an employment agency law, according to Army Radio.

    Olmert was authorized formally to form the next coalition government on April 6.

    His Kadima party, which won 29 seats in March 28 general elections, has since been in coalition talks with Labor, which garnered 19 seats out of the newly-elected Knesset (Parliament).Enditem