Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz ordered two new misconduct inquiries to be launched to look into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's political past.

JERUSALEM - Israel's attorney general on Sunday ordered a new criminal investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on suspicion he granted improper political favors while serving as trade minister earlier this decade. The announcement added to Olmert's political woes.

By Donald Macintyre The leading Israeli women's group backed former employees of Mr Katsav who had accused him of rape in angrily denouncing the decision by the Attorney General, Menachem Mazuz, to drop the charges against Mr Katsav, who will now formally resign under the terms of the deal.

Sponsors of a move to remove Moshe Katsav from off

By Steve Weizman Associated Press JERUSALEM -- Israeli President Moshe Katsav, facing charges of rape and abuse of power, asked parliament Wednesday to temporarily remove him from office in an effort to blunt growing calls for his resignation, including one from the prime minister.