Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he has decided not to contend in his ruling Kadima primary and would resign as soon as a new party leader was chosen, drawing different reactions from various sides, including major Israeli parties, Washington and the Palestinians.
"I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections," Olmert said in an official statement to the public from his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.
"When a new Kadima party chairman is chosen, I will resign as prime minister to permit them to put together a new government swiftly and effectively," he added.
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gives a speech during a graduation ceremony of the National Security College in Jerusalem July, 2008. Political sources had expected Olmert to announce that he would not run in the upcoming Kadima primary, adding that this decision in effect signals an end to Olmert's political career, according to local daily Ha'aretz.
Olmert's announcement comes a day after Kadima said it had fixed the date of its leadership vote. On Tuesday, Kadima's election committee decided to set an Aug. 24 deadline to join the race scheduled for Sept. 17.
Olmert's announcement also comes at a time when his chief political rivals -- Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz -- are all currently in the United States.
Olmert's decision was hailed by his senior party members.
Livni, who is considered a front-runner for Kadima party chairman, said "the personal decision was not simple, but it was correct. Kadima must continue to act in a way that will preserve its unity and ability to lead."
Mofaz, who is also vying for Kadima leadership, praised Olmert's decision as "brave."
"It proves that despite his personal crisis, he sees what is good for the state, and in this difficult hour he has made the right decision," Mofaz said.
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter also welcomed Olmert's decision as a "correct and brave decision for the State of Israel, the Kadima movement, and himself personally."
As for the Labor party, Kadima's main coalition partner, chairman Barak said Olmert's decision was "both correct and appropriate."
However, the opposition Likud party said Olmert's announcement was sufficient cause for a general election, after which Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said he would aspire to establish a national unity government.
Olmert's successor as Kadima leader would not automatically take office as prime minister. If his successor can establish a coalition, the Jewish state could have a new government in October. Otherwise an election campaign could take several months.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said President George W. Bush talked with Olmert Wednesday before the prime minister announced his decision to resign in September.
Bush intends to work closely with Olmert until that time, and wishes him well, Johndroe added.
"We will continue to work on a deal before the end of the year," Johndroe said when asked how Olmert's departure would affect the fragile peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas saw Olmert's decision as an "internal Israeli matter" and will work with his successor, said Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdineh.
Israel and the Palestinians relaunched the long-stalled peace talks after attending an international peace conference held in Annapolis of the United States in November, with an aim to reach a peace agreement by the end of 2008.
The U.S. president had promised the two sides that he will help them clinch such an agreement. However, Olmert cautioned on Monday that the two parties may not be able to ink a peace agreement including the issue of Jerusalem by the year-end.
Source:Xinhua
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