Livni urges Olmert to take leave as threat of indictment looms

       Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni on Thursday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to suspend himself immediately in light of the indictment facing him over the Rishon Tours scandal. Livni, who also serves as foreign minister, summoned an emergency meeting of Kadima on Thursday to discuss the repercussions of a potential indictment against Olmert. "The prime minister must take leave. There is no other option," Livni said. "This is a dramatic day," Livni said. "The Kadima Party cannot afford to follow these norms. There has been a change in Israel. This isn't Olmert's personal matter but a public matter." The Kadima head added that this was a difficult day for the state following the attorney general's announcement Wednesday night that an indictment against Olmert is imminent. "Despite the discomfort and despite the fact that none of us is eager to do so, Kadima was established in order to impart worthy norms of behavior," Livni said, calling on faction members identified with Olmert to put aside their allegiance. "We have no other choice," Livni said. "We are here together and we have to work as a faction." Attorney General Menachem Mazuz told Olmert on Wednesday that he is considering filing an indictment against him for allegedly using state funds from multiple state bodies to finance private trips abroad. Mazuz told Olmert's former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, he is considering indicting her, as well. (20,18)