January 26, 2007	Friday	Muharram 06, 1428

JERUSALEM, Jan 25: Israeli lawmakers on Thursday approved President Moshe Katsav's request for a leave because of a looming indictment for rape and sexual harassment.

After more than four hours of debate, a Knesset committee approved by a vote of 13 to 11 that President Katsav be suspended from office for three months because of the allegations.

“The president's request for leave was accepted,” committee chairwoman Ruhama Avraham said. “From this moment the president is temporarily suspended. He can no longer exercise his powers.”

“Parliament speaker Dalia Yitzik becomes interim president.”—AFP