JERUSALEM, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli lawmaker on Monday appealed to the Supreme Court to halt caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's efforts to resume indirect peace talks with Syria, local news service Ynet reported.

    Limor Livnat, from the opposition Likud party, argued that as an outgoing leader, Olmert has no authority to handle such a significant diplomatic issue, which should only be dealt with once a new government is formed.

    "We are dealing with processes whose implications could significantly affect the country for many years to come," Livnat was quoted as writing in her petition. "Such negotiations must not be conducted by a resigning prime minister."

    The opposition lawmaker also highlighted that since Olmert has no longer been chairman of the current ruling party Kadima, he will not become the next prime minister after the nation holds a snap election in February.

    Her appeal came a day after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz turned down her request to examine Olmert's authority, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling to prove that no formal limitations should be imposed on an administration's power to hold political negotiations.

    Four rounds of Turkey-brokered negotiations between Israel and Syria have been carried out since the three sides confirmed in mid-May the renewal of the peace process. Yet a fifth round, originally planned in early September, has been on hold due to Israel's political turmoil surrounding Olmert's resignation.

    Now that Israel is set to remain under Olmert's leadership in another three months, the departing prime minister has reportedly decided to push forward the talks in his remaining few months in office.