Israel's coalition chairman Avigdor Yitzhaki from Kadima faction Wednesday evening resigned from his position, local media said.

On Wednesday morning, Yitzhaki publicly called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign over the finding of the Winograd Committee on the shortcomings in last summer's conflict with Lebanese Hezbollah, declaring that he planned to resign if Olmert does not step down.

The coalition chairman had been pressing for Olmert's resignation since the release of a scathing report of the Winograd Committee on Monday on the prime minister's handling of the Israel- Hezbollah conflict.

Yitzhaki will be replaced by Knesset (parliament) member Tzachi Hanegbi, head of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and Olmert's close ally, reports said.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday also called on Olmert to resign, saying the ruling Kadima party should hold primary elections to elect a new leader to replace Olmert.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Livni said she intends on running for the party's leadership.

The Winograd Committee probing the shortcomings in the Second Lebanon War on Monday accuses Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz of failing in their roles.

In a televised address to the nation following the release of the Winograd report on Monday, Olmert insisted that he would not step down.

Source: Xinhua