Israeli opposition call for snap elections

Israeli opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu is calling for snap elections, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced his resignation.



Yesterday, Olmert announced that he would not stand in a leadership race for his Kadima Party set for September.



He was under increasing pressure to quit over mounting corruption allegations, which he has reportedly denied.



Despite plans to resign, Olmert said he intends to remain as caretaker Prime Minister until a new government is formed.



Olmert\'s main coalition partner, the Labour Party leader and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, said he believes Kadima could form a new government without a general election.



An opinion poll released just before the prime minister’s announcement suggested that Israeli voters thought Netanyahu would make the best premier.