Israeli lawmaker sues to stop peace talks

JERUSALEM, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A conservative Israeli lawmaker says she has filed suit to stop outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from engaging in further Syrian peace talks.

Likud Knesset Member Limor Livnat petitioned Israel's High Court of Justice, urging its judges to rule that Olmert must immediately end peace negotiations, saying such talks should only be renewed once a new government is formed, Ynetnews.com reported Monday.

The lawsuit came as Olmert was reported to be considering renewing peace talks with Syria, even though elections are on the way and he is heading a transitional government.

Livnat originally asked Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to rule against Olmert, but he instead ruled that the prime minister could go ahead with the talks because it was a political rather than legal activity, the Web site said.

Now, Livnat is asking the High Court to overturn Mazuz's decision, saying Olmert could try to use his remaining months in office to secure a legacy while creating "processes whose results could have a considerable impact on the country for many years," the Jerusalem Post reported.