 All the more reason for Olmert to go ... | RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian negotiators said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation would deal a swingeing blow to peace hopes at a crucial time in the negotiations. While the Islamist Hamas hailed the news, Palestinian negotiators mourned the loss of a man they felt is "serious" about peace.
The Palestinian Authority's official position is that the corruption allegations that have dogged Olmert and Wednesday's news he will step down after September's contest for the leadership of his Kadima party are an internal matter.
Ineffectual Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Thursday he would work with whoever becomes premier. "We will work with any prime minister elected in Israel and we will continue with Ehud Olmert until the arrival of his successor," Abbas told a news conference in Tunisia. "We are not worried by the change in Israeli prime minister because we know that Israel is seriously engaged to remain involved in the negotiation process with the Palestinians," Malki told a news conference in Madrid. |