Former Brazil President 'To Become Minister'

Former Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to accept a key ministerial role in President Dilma Rousseff's government, media reports say.

Members of the governing Workers' Party say his appointment will strengthen her beleaguered administration.

In becoming a minister, Lula will also have some legal protection.

Last week, prosecutors requested his arrest in a money laundering inquiry over a luxury sea-front penthouse.

The popular former president has denied any wrongdoing and says the claims are politically motivated. As a minister, Lula could only be tried by the Supreme Court, placing him out of the reach of the judge in the southern city of Curitiba responsible for the inquiry.

Lula was briefly detained earlier this month after investigators said they had evidence he received illicit benefits from a kickback scheme involving state-oil company Petrobras.