Israeli police today questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a seventh time as part of a corruption investigation that has jeopardised peace talks with the Palestinians and shaken Israel's political system.
Mr Olmert, who denies any wrongdoing, has pledged to step down once his centrist Kadima party chooses a new leader in a September 17th contest in which the leading contenders are Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz.
A police spokesman said the questioning would last about two and a half hours.
Israeli media said police would ask Mr Olmert about suspicions he received a discount to buy an apartment in exchange for favours, and named cronies to a state business authority when he served as trade minister.
Mr Olmert has also been accused of accepting cash envelopes from a US Jewish fundraiser and submitting duplicate travel expense claims while serving in a previous government role.
If the prime minister resigns, he would stay on as caretaker leader for the weeks it could take his successor to form a new government, which would likely further delay already halting US-sponsored peace negotiations.
On a visit this week, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she continued to aim for a peace accord before President George W. Bush leaves office in January, although many analysts are sceptical she can achieve a breakthrough.
Reuters