Israeli Prime Minister to step down from post in two months

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday announced that he will resign next month, throwing his country into political turmoil in a move that could stall US-backed Mideast peace efforts.

Olmert said he would not run in his party's primary election, set for September 17, and would step down afterward "in order to allow the chairman to be elected and form a different government quickly and efficiently". Olmert's brief address included harsh criticism of police investigations of corruption allegations against him.

Olmert said he was choosing the public good over his personal justice. If Olmert's successor as party leader can form a coalition, Israel could have a new government in October.