Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will resign once his ruling Kadima party chooses a new leader in a September primary election.
Mr. Olmert said on Wednesday he will not run in the internal primary set for September 17th. He said he will step down immediately afterward to allow his successor to form a new government.
Mr. Olmert is under police investigation of allegations that he accepted illegal campaign contributions from U.S. businessman Morris Talansky. The prime minister criticized the allegations and what he called "attacks" from people trying to "impeach" him. He has denied wrongdoing.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department says it will continue to work with all "responsible" Israeli leaders. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says the U.S. is committed to moving forward with the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
The race to succeed Mr. Olmert began before he said he was stepping
down. Two of Mr. Olmert's Cabinet members, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, have said they will run for the
post.