Olmert confirms resignation to Cabinet

Embattled prime minister Ehud Olmert today told his Cabinet that he is stepping down.

Olmert made the comments at the opening of his weekly Cabinet meeting. In the televised remarks, he said he would tell the Cabinet of his "intention to resign the office of prime minister of the state of Israel".

Olmert says he will "stand by" foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who was elected last week to replace him as chairman of the governing Kadima party. Olmert is being forced from office by a corruption scandal.

It is not clear when Olmert will submit his resignation to president Shimon Peres.

The prime minister has to formally notify Peres of his intention to step down. After that, the president can ask Livni to try to put together a new coalition government.