Abbas fears Olmert probe may stall peace talks

Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas voiced fears that a criminal investigation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could stall Middle East peace talks.

Senior Abbas aide Tayeb Abdel Rahim said Abbas hopes that the obstacles facing the Israeli prime minister would not obstruct the peace process desired by Palestinians.

Israeli police questioned Olmert on Friday for a second time over allegations that he took cash from a New York fund raiser.

Olmert, who was first questioned three weeks ago, has denied any wrongdoing but said he would resign if indicted.

The Palestinians are also worried that the Americans' preoccupation with presidential elections on November will push peace moves away from the spotlight.

"It will take the new administration time to settle in before it turns its attention to our problems," a Palestinian official said.