Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday reaffirmed that he would step down as soon as his ruling Kadima party chooses his successor later this month, as he had promised.

Olmert made the statement at a gathering with other Kadima members on Thursday night, adding he was committed to cooperating with whoever is elected so that the power will change hands in a responsible and orderly fashion, according to local daily The Jerusalem Post.

Some 70,000 Kadima member will vote on Wednesday to choose their next leader among Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter. A second round would be held should no candidate secure over 40 percent in the first round.

"We have excellent candidates and I promise to fully cooperate with whoever is elected, as I've said from day one, in order to lead Kadima and the government on the path we believe in," he was quoted as saying.

Embroiled in a series of police investigations against him and amid mounting calls to leave office, Olmert announced in late July that he would not compete in the Kadima race and would resign upon the election of his replacement.

By law, following his resignation, Olmert will remain in power as caretaker prime minister, until a new government is formed. The cabinet-making efforts may take from weeks to three months, and should such efforts fail, early general elections would be held, possibly in the spring.

Olmert has also said that he would resign if indicted. Yet according to Israeli laws, even if the state prosecution files an indictment against him, as the police has recommended, Olmert would not have to leave the post of caretaker premier.

Although the political turmoil has further overshadowed the already-sluggish peace process with the Palestinians, Olmert on Thursday night reaffirmed his optimism that the negotiations would yield results by the end of 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2008)