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Israeli President, PM Call for Fair Elections
Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who tendered his resignation in person to the president shortly before 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT), called for a "speedy and fair" prime ministerial election Sunday, December 10.
The president said that it was the first time that an Israeli prime minister resigned in accordance with the direct elections law in the Jewish state's 52-year-old history.
After tendering his resignation, Barak said he had made efforts but in vain to form a national emergency government following the first reading of the early elections bill in the Knesset (parliament) on November 28, which requires two further readings to become law.
He thereby decided to resign according to the Article 23 of the direct election law and called for early election for the prime minister.
He expressed the hope that the election will be "speedy and fair."
Katsav said that under the circumstances following the death of three Israelis over the weekend under Palestinian gunmen's shooting attacks, it was appropriate for the prime minister to resign in line with the law.
The president added that the upcoming election for the premiership which will take place within 60 days will be the most important election in the history of the Jewish state since its establishment in 1948.
Katsav called on the majority of the people to support Barak, saying that Israel has got a long way toward peace. He hoped that all political factions will act out of the national interests and respect the rules of the law so as to bring about a fair election. Barak's resignation will take effect in 48 hours.
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