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Katsav 'will resign if indicted' Israeli PM urges president to go
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli President Moshe Katsav has strongly denied allegations of rape and abuse of power, but has vowed to resign if he is formally charged. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on President Moshe Katsav to resign over allegations of rape and abuse of power.
It comes after Mr Katsav strongly denied the accusations but vowed to step down if he was formally charged.
In an emotionally-charged news conference, Mr Katsav said he would fight to clear his name, "even if it means a world war".In an emotionally-charged news conference, Mr Katsav said he would fight to clear his name, "even if it means a world war".
He railed against a reporter from Israel's Channel 2 television, accusing it of leading a campaign against him. He has asked the speaker of parliament to grant him temporary leave.
Mr Katsav has asked for a temporary leave of absence from his post. Attorney General Meni Mazuz said on Tuesday that he intended to charge Mr Katsav with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud.
He made the request in a letter to the Israeli parliament, or Knesset. A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move.
The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and MPs to step down.The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and MPs to step down.
But he has vowed to stay in office to fight the allegations. A formal indictment might only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks.
'One truth'
Speaking in the northern town of Herzliyah, Mr Olmert called on Mr Katsav to quit.
I will not give in to blackmail Moshe KatsavIsraeli president Press demand Katsav resigns "Under these circumstances, there is no doubt in my mind that the president cannot continue to fulfil his position and he must leave the president's residence," he said.
His comments followed a nationally televised news conference in which a visibly angry Mr Katsav denied the accusations against him.
At one point the president railed against a reporter from Israel's Channel 2 television, accusing it of leading a campaign against him.
He implored the public not to believe the allegations, saying: "When the truth comes out you will be shocked."
"Don't believe the libel, the defamation, the lies," he said. "There is only one truth... I am the target of one of the worst attacks in the history of the state of Israel.""Don't believe the libel, the defamation, the lies," he said. "There is only one truth... I am the target of one of the worst attacks in the history of the state of Israel."
Dismissal moves Mr Katsav vowed to stay in office to fight the allegations.
The attorney general said on Tuesday that Mr Katsav would be charged with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. "The law does not oblige me to resign," he said. "I will not give in to blackmail."
But the formal indictment will only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks. Immunity
Mr Katsav has requested temporary leave of absence, during which the speaker of the Knesset (parliament) will act in his place.
A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move.
The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Jerusalem says as long as Mr Katsav retains the title of president he still has immunity from criminal prosecution.
Mr Katsav's seven-year term ends later this year.
Some 30 members of the Knesset have signed a petition to begin moves to have Mr Katsav impeached, Israeli media reported.
The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years.The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years.
Defence lawyers have expressed confidence that the case will be dropped at the special hearing.
"It will become clear that he is the victim of trumped-up charges and a failed attempt to oust him from his position and he will fight to prove his innocence," said lawyer David Libai.
If the case does go to trial and if he is found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison.If the case does go to trial and if he is found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison.
The office of president is invested with great dignity and prestige in the Israeli political system, but powers are limited.
Criminal proceedings cannot begin while the president remains in office, but his seven-year term ends later this year.
Some 30 members of the Knesset have signed a petition to begin moves to have Mr Katsav dismissed, Israeli media reported.