Al-Jazeera: Olmert will suspend himself till end of investigation
Qatari news channel quotes Israeli State sources as saying prime minister may resign, at very least suspend himself following police investigation against him. Prime Minister's Office rejects claim
The Qatar-based al-Jazeera news channel reported on Wednesday that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to resign or at the very least suspend himself at some point next week until police conclude their investigation against him.
The channel attributed the report to Israeli State officials. Furthermore, said al-Jazeera, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni is already slated to replace Olmert should he step down, till the end of the investigation or until new elections are held.
Olmert's office was quick to deny the claims.
Meanwhile several Israeli media outlets filed an appeal to the Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday challenging the Magistrates Court's decision not to lift or ease the gag order prohibiting journalists from revealing details regarding the police investigation against Olmert.
The plaintiffs have demanded an urgent hearing be held on the matter.
A senior political figure in the Kadima party slammed the conduct of the police, State Prosecution and media in regards to the affair. He expressed concern, however, that Olmert may not weather the scandal.
Virtually all details regarding the investigation cannot be released under the gag order, although the New York Post revealed extensive information regarding the affair on Tuesday.
Roni Sofer and Vered Luvitch contributed to this report
