Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided Tuesday afternoon to indict President Moshe Katsav for alleged rape and other incidents of sexual assault.

Katsav will face charges over claims of four women, including the alleged rape of a former employee.

According to a statement released from Justice Ministry, enough evidence had been collected to support an indictment against Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, sexual relations involving the abuse of power, obstruction of justice and illegally accepting gifts.

"The attorney-general, with the agreement of the state attorney, reached the conclusion that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to indict the president," local paper Ha'aretz quoted the statement as saying.

A final decision on the indictment will be made only after a hearing, where Katsav will be able to present his case.

Though facing indictment, Katsav does not intend to resign Tuesday, said Israeli Channel 10.

According to Israeli law, the president enjoys immunity while in office and could be tried only after his resignation or end of term.

Katsav announced last month that he would voluntarily suspend himself from office if indicted.

Katsav has been accused of raping a former employee of the President's Residence, known only as "A."

The president has denied the charges stemming from complaints made by several women who worked for him during his tenure as president and, before that, as a cabinet minister.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2007 )