Olmert's party considers primaries over scandal

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's Kadima party leaders will meet soon to decide on an internal election that could replace the prime minister, senior party members said on Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is at the centre of an investigation over charges that he took bribes from a US millionaire before he became prime minister in 2006.

Lawmaker Tzachi Hanegbi told Israel Radio on Friday that Kadima delegates would meet to decide on a leadership ballot after Olmert returns from a visit to the United States at the end of next week.

Kadima sources said Olmert wants his party to put off such vote for months, hoping to ride out the police investigation into the bribery allegations.

Olmert's main coalition partner, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, has demanded for Olmert to step down. Olmert has denied wrongdoing but has said he would resign if indicted.