Israel's prime minister told his Cabinet on Sunday that he would step down, following through on a promise to allow the new leader of the ruling party to try to set up a coalition government.
In televised remarks at the opening of Israel's weekly Cabinet meeting, Ehud Olmert said he would tell ministers of his "intention to resign the office of prime minister of the state of Israel." According to th AP, the Israeli leader vowed to stand by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who was elected last week to replace him as chairman of the governing Kadima Party.
Olmert is being forced from office by a series of police investigations into his financial dealings.
Over the weekend, Livni met with leaders of two small factions outside the coalition, hoping to shore up any government she could put together.
