Israeli cabinet backs war inquiry

THE Israeli cabinet yesterday authorised an inquiry into the government’s handling of the recent war in Lebanon, capping weeks of disagreements over the scope of the investigation.

The inquiry, headed by a retired judge, will look at decisions by political and military leaders but it will not have full judicial powers to dismiss officials, despite widespread public calls for a broader inquiry.

The cabinet approved the inquiry by a 20-2 vote, with one abstention, the government said.