Olmert Under Pressure to Quit

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TEL AVIV: Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday faced intense pressure to quit the government following a decision to indict him in a graft case.

The governing Kadima party was to hold an urgent meeting at which Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who hopes to become prime minister after February 10 elections, was expected to press Olmert to step down as soon as possible, media said.

"The prime minister must fight to prove his innocence, but he must also leave," Kadima MP Itzhak ben Israel told army radio.

Olmert presented his resignation in September but remains at the head of a caretaker government. On Wednesday, authorities announced he is to be indicted in a case in which he allegedly multiple-billed overseas trips.

"It is a tragic day for the state of Israel," said Labour MP Ophir Pines Paz. "It is not acceptable that a person accused of a crime against the state should continue to hold the post of prime minister," he told journalists.

Olmert's office made it clear he did not intend to leave his position at the head of the caretaker government, stressing he already quit as prime minister.

"In these circumstances, there is no legal reason to announce a further resignation," his office said in a statement.

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