By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced that he will quit as leader of his Kadima party as soon as it elects a new leader on Sept 17.
Olmert said in a televised speech Wednesday that he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed, noting that he made his decision because of the harsh campaign against him.
He vowed to prove his innocence, saying a corruption case involving him is hurting his family.
The corruption inquiry centres around allegations that a US citizen, Morris Talansky, made election donations in cash to Olmert in 2006, which may have subsequently been used to buy luxury items.
The main candidate to succeed Olmert as party leader and premier is Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz is also fighting for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Israeli right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is also running for the same position.
The announcement by Olmert will speed up elections. A recent Israeli poll suggests voters think Netanyahu would make a better prime minister.