Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's ruling Kadima party primary will be held on Sept. 17, with a possible run-off on Sept. 24, this year, the party announced Tuesday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are all expected to run and Olmert has not yet ruled himself out.

The party also announced that Aug. 24 would be the closing date to register as a candidate.

Earlier Tuesday, Livni asserted that she would beat Olmert in the upcoming Kadima primary should he decide to run.

In an interview with Israel Army Radio, Livni said "If the prime minister decides to run in the Kadima primary, which doesn't seem reasonable to me, I will beat him."

The foreign minister also rejected claims of rivalry between herself and the prime minister, saying that although she had "nothing personal against Olmert," the process within the Kadima faction was intended to replace him.

Last Tuesday, Kadima said in a statement that the party has approved a change to its charter, clearing the way for a party primary which would unseat Olmert.

Kadima adopted the modification after the central committee of the centrist party gathered 91 ayes out of its 180 members, said the statement in Hebrew posted on the website of Kadima.

Local media have reported that the Kadima primary will be held between Sept. 14 and 18.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)