Forty Knesset members have signed a request for the start of proceedings to oust President Moshe Katsav, in light of the sexual offenses and breach of trust of which he stands accused.

The request, which was submitted to Knesset House Committee chairwoman lawmaker Ruhama Avraham (Kadima) yesterday and will be transferred to the president today, asked the committee to discuss the matter and recommend that the Knesset dismiss Katsav due to "behavior unsuited to his position as president."

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The House Committee debate on the request to oust Katsav is slated to begin in about two weeks, giving Katsav's attorneys time to prepare for it. The signatories include lawmakers from all parties other than the religious ones.

According to regulations related to dismissal of a president, either the president's attorneys or a third of the signatories to the request can ask that the proceedings be delayed, but they would need to present special reasons.

The House Committee is authorized to summon Attorney General Menachem Mazuz or his representative to the debate.

There is no limit on the length of time the committee is allowed to debate the president's dismissal, but the proceedings are expected to last three or four sessions. After the committee finishes discussing the issue, it will vote on ousting Katsav. Seventy-five percent of the committee members (19 out of 25 lawmakers) must vote for his dismissal for the matter to reach the Knesset plenum for a vote.

So far, the committee does not have the required majority to oust Katsav, since at least seven lawmakers - Avraham herself, as well as three from Shas, two from Yisrael Beiteinu and one from United Torah Judaism - are opposed to the dismissal.

If 75 percent of the House Committee does not vote to oust Katsav, dismissal proceedings will end there.

If the matter does reach the Knesset plenum, Katsav or his representative will have the right to speak in the president's defense.

Afterward, every lawmaker will be permitted to take part in the plenum debate, which must be completed within a week. A 90-lawmaker majority is needed to oust the president.