Former Israeli PM asks Olmert to resign

JERUSALEM, May 8 (UPI) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has asked current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign his post for mishandling of the Second Lebanon War.

Barak called for Olmert's resignation at a news conference Monday, citing the disparaging review of the prime minister's handling of the conflict in a recent report from the Winograd Committee, Haaretz reported.

"The Winograd Report is a harsh report, the conclusions of which justify personal conclusions," Barak said.

The former prime minister also pointed out how former chief of staff Dan Halutz resigned and Defense Minister Amir Peretz decided to seek a finance position in the wake of the conflict.

Barak also added a very unsubtle threat to Olmert regarding his possible new position as the head of his nation's Labor Party.

"If on March 28, I am elected chairman of the Labor Party, and the prime minister has yet to reach personal conclusions, I will act to form a wide consensus in my party and with the faction leaders to determine an appropriate and agreed date for elections," Barak said.