Jerusalem: Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was questioned for the ninth time today by the national fraud investigation squad on alleged charges of graft that led to his forced resignation.

Investigators arrived at his official residence this morning to interrogate him on events that took place before he became Prime Minister in January 2006.

Olmert is charged under a string of corruption cases, including questionable real estate deals, cash-stuffed envelope transfers with an American businessman, multiple billing of official trips abroad to fund his family s vacation and many others.

Olmert has denied any wrongdoing.

Heannounced to step down in August which led to primaries in his Kadima party to elect a new leader.

The newly elected leader of the party, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, failed to muster majority support in the Knesset and asked the President to call for snap polls.

The Prime Minister will continue in his office till polls are held on February 10 and a new government is formed.
Source : PTI