By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Monday said general election is likely to be held by the end of 2008, The Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
“The situation can no longer continue. We support a stable regime and we are ready and are preparing for elections. We have joined with other groups who have submitted motions to dissolve the Knesset (parliament) and several such proposals are ready,” Barak said during a meeting with his Labor faction.
The defense minister, who expected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down within a month, discussed with Labor Secretary Eitan Cableon on Sunday about his party’s preparations ahead of the expected general elections.
He also called on heads of the party’s branches to ratchet up their activities of election preparation.
Last week, Barak said if Olmert does not leave his post, the Labor party will set an early date for elections.
Olmert is currently under a bribe investigation.