Abbas sees Olmert crisis hurting peace talks

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas believes a political crisis in Israel that could unseat Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hurt peace talks, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

"No doubt, what's happening will leave a negative impact on negotiations," Nabil Abu Rdainah said in a statement shortly after Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called on Olmert to step aside over corruption allegations.

(Reporting by Mohammed Assadi; Editing by Rebecca Harrison)