JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he will step down this fall, clearing the way for fresh leadership from his centrist party.

At least in the short term, Mr. Olmert's successor is likely to keep pursuing his government's policies, including a flurry of regional diplomacy he has spearheaded recently. A fresh leader, unencumbered by the corruption probes that dogged Mr. Olmert's term in office, may fare better in winning broad support among Israelis for indirect peace talks with Syria and other moves.

In...