Israel's Barak says election likely by early 2009
Posted: 19 May 2008 1551 hrs

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JERUSALEM : Israel could hold a snap election by early 2009, Defence Minister Ehud Barak was quoted on Monday as saying, while expressing hope corruption allegations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will prove unfounded.

"I believe there will be early legislative elections in Israel before the end of the year and at the latest by early 2009," the Maariv daily quoted Barak as saying.

Barak is the leader of the Labour party, a key coalition ally of Olmert, who is under criminal investigation over claims he illegally received funds from a wealthy US businessman.

"I hope the suspicions against Olmert prove to be unfounded," said Barak.

Olmert, whose term is due to end in November 2010, will be questioned in the next few days for a second time in connection with the allegations.

But Attorney General Menahem Mazuz said on Sunday it would be unrealistic to expect any swift indictment.

"I am not at all certain that we will be able to present a formal charge in the coming weeks," he said.

- AFP /ls