The state prosecution requested another two days to respond to a high court order to explain the controversial deal, which dropped two rape charges and allowed Katsav to escape possible jail time, before an indictment can be filed.

The high court initially demanded that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz make his explanations by Monday, after women's groups and the Movement for Quality Government filed an appeal, outraged by what it called an "amoral" deal.

For 11 months, the father of five has been the focus of the worst scandal ever to befall an Israeli leader, as women made a string of accusations, including rape, that could have seen him jailed for 16 years if convicted.