JERUSALEM - ISRAELI police investigating bribery and fraud allegations will question Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for the eighth time next week, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

Mr Olmert resigned as prime minister on Sunday, but will remain in office as caretaker premier until the next government is in place, either through political negotiations or an election.

He will be questioned at his official residence in Jerusalem on Oct 2, after the Jewish New Year holiday, the spokesman said.

Police are investigating allegations Mr Olmert took bribes from an American businessman and made double claims for travel expenses while he served as trade minister and mayor of Jerusalem. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was asked by Israel's President Shimon Peres on Monday to form a new government in the wake of Mr Olmert's resignation.

Mr Olmert has faced numerous investigations into his financial affairs from his 10-year stint as mayor of Jerusalem, ending in 2003, and then as a cabinet minister until he succeeded the ailing Ariel Sharon as prime minister in early 2006. -- REUTERS