Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 25, 2008. Israeli Defense Minister and Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak Wednesday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to temporarily step aside over corruption allegations or resign at an ongoing press conference in Jerusalem. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Israeli Defense Minister and Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak Wednesday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to temporarily step aside over corruption allegations or resign at a press conference in Jerusalem.

Citing the overwhelming number of issues Israel is currently facing, Barak told the press conference called by himself that it was doubtful Olmert could fulfill his role as premier with the shadow of a corruption investigation looming overhead.

"I think the Prime Minister has to disconnect himself from running the state," either by suspending himself from office, taking leave or resigning, Barak told the news conference in parliament, which was run live on the pan-Arab al-Jazeera news channel.

He added that his Labor Party could force an early election if Olmert refused to go.

Barak's call comes a day after Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky told a preliminary hearing at Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday that he gave Olmert 150,000 US dollars over a period of 15 years.

The testimony is part of an investigation into Olmert, who is suspected of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from Talansky.

Olmert said he would resign if indicted, but State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said it is too early to say if an indictment will be issued, and a decision is to be made only after completion of police investigations.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2008)