Jerusalem's right-wing Mayor Ehud Olmert submitted his resignation late Sunday to take part in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government, Israeli radio reported.

Olmert, who served as mayor for the past 10 years, is to be sworn in as an MP on Monday, paving the way for an ultra-Orthodox Jew to take over as Jerusalem mayor for the first time, the website of the daily Haaretz reported.

Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment on the report.

A long-time member of the right-wing Likud party, led by Sharon, Olmert is expected to take a senior portfolio in the next cabinet and to be a member of Israel's security cabinet, Haaretz said.

Olmert will be temporarily replaced as mayor by his long-serving deputy – Uri Lupolianski of the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, which is currently in coalition talks with Likud, it said.

Although Lupolianski's term of service is set to be 60 days leading to municipal elections, Interior Minister Eli Yishai said last week he intended to postpone the Jerusalem polls until the end of October.

Olmert, who has made clear on several occasions that his aim is to become prime minister, stepped down from his post as Jerusalem mayor to pursue his political career after winning a seat in last month's legislative elections.

Under Israeli law, a mayor cannot serve in the Knesset, or parliament.

Four years ago, Olmert announced that he would challenge then-outgoing foreign minister Sharon for leadership of Likud, pointing to his own lengthy political career.

He has served two terms as a cabinet minister and more than 25 years as a parliamentary deputy.AFP