Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivers a statement to the media at his official residence in Jerusalem, Israel, July 30, 2008. Olmert said on Wednesday he would resign after his ruling Kadima party chooses a new leader in a September 17 internal election.

by Xu Gang

JERUSALEM, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he has decided not to contend in his ruling Kadima primary and would resign as soon as a new party leader was chosen, drawing different reactions from various sides, including major Israeli parties, Washington and the Palestinians.

"I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections," Olmert said in an official statement to the public from his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.

"When a new Kadima party chairman is chosen, I will resign as prime minister to permit them to put together a new government swiftly and effectively," he added.

Political sources had expected Olmert to announce that he would not run in the upcoming Kadima primary, adding that this decision in effect signals an end to Olmert's political career, according to local daily Ha'aretz.

Olmert's announcement comes a day after Kadima said it had fixed the date of its leadership vote. On Tuesday, Kadima's election committee decided to set an Aug. 24 deadline to join the race scheduled for Sept. 17.