I've decided to run for president, Peres tells associates

[oberliner]

Vice premier Shimon Peres has told associates that he has made up his mind and is determined to run for Israel's presidency, Ynet discovered Monday. Peres has not stated officially that he was running, and there were those of the opinion that he would not run in a secret ballot. Today, however, he made it clear that he would.

This would put him out of the running to replace Ehud Olmert should the latter resign following the Winograd Commission report.

The seven-year term of suspended President Moshe Katsav is scheduled to come to its conclusion at the end of July. One month earlier, the Knesset is scheduled to elect the State of Israel's ninth president.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3396883,00.html