Olmert announces formal resignation

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's corruption-tainted prime minister, Ehud Olmert, announced his formal resignation at a weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday.

Olmert did not, however, say when he will submit his resignation to President Shimon Peres. After he does this, he will serve as caretaker prime minister until the new government is formed.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel Radio reported that Olmert will submit his official letter of resignation to Peres, but Olmert spokesman Mark Regev could not confirm that report.

Last week, Regev told The Associated Press that Olmert would notify the Cabinet on Sunday that he was stepping down. But no precise date for his official resignation was
disclosed.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was elected last week to succeed Olmert as head of the governing Kadima Party. Even though she is now head of Kadima, Livni does not automatically become prime minister.