Israeli PM to resign

Israeli PM to resign, won't run in party primary
By MARK LAVIE, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM - Facing burgeoning corruption allegations and plummeting popularity, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he will resign in September, throwing Israel into political turmoil and raising doubts about prospects for peace with the Palestinians and Syria.

Olmert said he would not run in his party's primary election Sept. 17 and would step down afterward to allow his successor to form a government. But because of Israel's political system, he could serve until well into next year.

His decision will end a long public career that has been clouded by allegations of corruption that have battered him in recent months.

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