Israeli PM accused of "severe failure" by gov´t probe

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-01-2007 10:27

File Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

A long-awaited Israeli government probe is accusing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of a "severe failure" in his handling of last year's conflict in Lebanon. This is one of the major conclusions of a report issued by a governmental inquiry committee. The findings have dealt a harsh blow to the already embattled Prime Minister.

The report says Olmert acted hastily in leading the country to war last July without having a comprehensive plan.

The government-commissioned inquiry into the 33-day war between Lebanon and Israel last year -- found that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was responsible for not setting goals clearly. And also failing to exercise judgment when launching the war.

The report cited a "severe failure" in lack of "judgment, responsibility and caution".

Olmert, after receiving a copy of the panel's findings, said Monday that "failures will be remedied." He added "We will study the material in this part of the report and wait for the second part. We will act immediately to learn everything we need to make conclusions and to make sure that in any scenario of a future risk to the state of Israel, the failures you pointed out will be remedied and will not be a burden on the state of Israel."

Israel's war in Lebanon broke out after Hezbollah guerrillas killed three soldiers and captured two others in a cross-border raid.

Neither of Israel's two stated war aims -- to destroy Hezbollah and win the return of the two captured soldiers -- were achieved.

Editor:Du Xiaodan