Israeli Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz on Sunday greenlighted outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's bid to resume indirect talks with Syria, turning down calls for him to examine Olmert's authority, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported.
Local media reported that Olmert has recently been seeking to renew Turkey-brokered negotiations with its northern Arab neighbour, while some lawmakers argued that as a caretaker leader, Olmert has no authority to handle such a significant diplomatic issue.
In response to a petition from lawmaker Limor Livnat from the opposition Likud party, Mazuz was quoted as saying that he would not intervene in Olmert's efforts.
According to 2001 Supreme High Court ruling, no formal limitations should be imposed on an administration's power to hold political negotiations, Mazuz said.
Shortly after Mazuz's announcement, Livnat said she would appeal to the Supreme Court, warning that allowing the current interim leadership to negotiate with Syria may bind the hands of the future government, local news service Ynet reported.
Four rounds of Turkey-brokered negotiations between Israel and Syria have been carried out since the three sides confirmed in mid- May the renewal of the peace process. Yet a fifth round, originally planned in early September, has been on hold due to Israel's political turmoil surrounding Olmert's resignation.
Now that Israel is set to remain under Olmert's leadership till a snap election on Feb. 10, the departing prime minister has reportedly decided to push forward the talks in his remaining few months in office.