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Israeli PM faces corruption quiz | Israeli PM faces corruption quiz |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Israeli police have questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a fifth time over corruption allegations. | |
Mr Olmert denies claims that he double billed charities and state bodies for overseas trips and improperly accepted donations from a US businessman. | Mr Olmert denies claims that he double billed charities and state bodies for overseas trips and improperly accepted donations from a US businessman. |
Last week Mr Olmert revealed plans to stand down amid growing pressure over the two latest fraud investigations. | Last week Mr Olmert revealed plans to stand down amid growing pressure over the two latest fraud investigations. |
He said he would not stand in his party's leadership elections, paving the way for a successor to take over. | He said he would not stand in his party's leadership elections, paving the way for a successor to take over. |
But if the new leader of the Kadima party is unable to form a coalition government after the September elections, Mr Olmert could remain as caretaker prime minister until a general election is held. | But if the new leader of the Kadima party is unable to form a coalition government after the September elections, Mr Olmert could remain as caretaker prime minister until a general election is held. |
Friday's questioning took three hours, an hour longer than originally planned, police said. | |
In all Mr Olmert has faced six corruption investigations relating to before he became prime minister, although no charges have been filed in any of them. | In all Mr Olmert has faced six corruption investigations relating to before he became prime minister, although no charges have been filed in any of them. |
EHUD OLMERT'S POLITICAL LIFE 1993: Begins 10-year stint as mayor of Jerusalem2005: Leaves right-wing Likud party with former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to form Kadima2006: Takes over as leader when Ariel Sharon suffers a stroke2007: Helps re-launch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after seven-year hiatus2008: Announces plans to resign New Israeli leader, same puzzlesEhud Olmert: Corruption allegationsPress ponders Olmert resignation | EHUD OLMERT'S POLITICAL LIFE 1993: Begins 10-year stint as mayor of Jerusalem2005: Leaves right-wing Likud party with former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to form Kadima2006: Takes over as leader when Ariel Sharon suffers a stroke2007: Helps re-launch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after seven-year hiatus2008: Announces plans to resign New Israeli leader, same puzzlesEhud Olmert: Corruption allegationsPress ponders Olmert resignation |
In the most recent case, he is accused of submitting duplicate claims for travel expenses for overseas travel and using the money to fund family trips abroad. | In the most recent case, he is accused of submitting duplicate claims for travel expenses for overseas travel and using the money to fund family trips abroad. |
That followed claims by a US businessman, Morris Talansky, that he gave Mr Olmert cash-stuffed envelopes. | That followed claims by a US businessman, Morris Talansky, that he gave Mr Olmert cash-stuffed envelopes. |
Mr Talansky has said the money may have been used on luxury items, but Mr Olmert has said he only received legitimate funds for his campaigns for re-election as mayor of Jerusalem and for the leadership of the Likud party. | Mr Talansky has said the money may have been used on luxury items, but Mr Olmert has said he only received legitimate funds for his campaigns for re-election as mayor of Jerusalem and for the leadership of the Likud party. |
He has said he will resign if charged. | He has said he will resign if charged. |
In the succession race for the leadership of the centrist Kadima party, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni leads Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz in the polls. | In the succession race for the leadership of the centrist Kadima party, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni leads Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz in the polls. |
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are also seen as potential successors. | Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are also seen as potential successors. |
But the leader of the right-wing Likud party, Binyamin Netanyahu, has been performing well in polls for a potential general election. | But the leader of the right-wing Likud party, Binyamin Netanyahu, has been performing well in polls for a potential general election. |
The political uncertainty in Israel has cast a shadow over a faltering US-backed peace process with the Palestinians and indirect talks with Syria. | The political uncertainty in Israel has cast a shadow over a faltering US-backed peace process with the Palestinians and indirect talks with Syria. |
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