MIDDLE EAST: An Israeli newspaper reported yesterday that the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was to be summoned for questioning by a government watchdog about a property transaction in Jerusalem.
Officials in Mr Olmert's office said they were looking into the report. Haaretz quoted Mr Olmert's aides as saying that the prime minister had not been approached by the state comptroller's office.
Haaretz said Mr Olmert was to be questioned about a deal in which he allegedly bought a Jerusalem apartment for about $500,000 below its market value.
In exchange, his associates helped the contractor to obtain unusual permits from the Jerusalem municipality, Haaretz said.
Mr Olmert's office said that the prime minister had not been approached by the comptroller.
The comptroller said in a statement that he had been looking into the matter for several months, collecting documents and statements from those involved.
"We haven't turned to the prime minister yet for a reaction," the comptroller said, adding that the report in Haaretz was "premature."