Region | Palestinian Territories
Israeli PM Olmert to step down 'immediately' after election
A confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the leader will step down "immediately" after his party chooses a successor this month.
- AP
- Published: 12:02 September 11, 2008
Occupied Jerusalem: A confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the leader will step down "immediately" after his party chooses a successor this month.
The comment shoots down speculation that Olmert would try to linger in office for months.
Olmert has already announced plans to resign in order to battle a corruption investigation. But he has been unclear when he would actually step aside.
Olmert's Kadima Party is scheduled to hold a primary next Wednesday, though the party could hold a runoff if no candidate receives 40 per cent of the vote. Cabinet ministers Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz are the front-runners.
The Olmert confidant says the Israeli leader will formally resign "immediately following the primary."
He spoke on condition of anonymity because the Israeli leader has not made his plans public.
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