Netanyahu: Israel owes Olmert a debt of gratitude

Opposition chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called for general elections to be declared as quickly as possible in his first response since the resignation of Ehud Olmert as prime minister.

"After such a dramatic development, the right thing needs to be done," Netanyahu said from Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv. "We need to let the nation choose the new prime minister and a new government."

During his news conference, the Likud chairman said the state of Israel owes Olmert a debt of gratitude, despite the personal rivalry between them. "There were and there remain significant disagreements between us. Nonetheless, the state of Israel owes you a debt of thanks for a number of important things you need for the sake of our security," Netanyahu said, addressing the outgoing premier.

Netanyahu reiterated the Likud's state position that it would not join a national unity government headed by newly elected Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni. "It is inconceivable for a small group of Kadima members to decide for the citizens of Israel," Netanyahu said.

In other developments, Shas appears closer to joining a Livni-led coalition after representatives from the Sephardic Orthodox party met with the Kadima chief in Jerusalem on Tuesday.