Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert came under pressure from his own party on Thursday to immediately step aside after the attorney-general announced he was considering indicting him on fraud and bribery charges, reported Reuters.
"The prime minister must take leave. There is no other option," Israeli Foreign Minister and Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni told party members at an emergency meeting near Tel Aviv.
Olmert lawyer Amir Dan told Israel Radio that the prime minister, who resigned in September but is serving in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed after a February 10 election, had "no intention" of leaving office early.