Israeli President Moshe Katsav resigned today, a day after admitting to sex crimes against women employees in a case that has brought unprecedented disgrace on an Israeli head of state.

When his resignation from the largely ceremonial post takes effect on Sunday, the speaker of parliament will be president for two weeks. Former prime minister Shimon Peres, elected earlier this month to replace Katsav, takes office on July 15.

Parliament spokesman Giora Pordes said Katsav had written to legislators saying: "I ask to end my tenure in office two weeks ahead of time and announce my resignation."