Israel 'aiming for Litani river'

The Israeli army will move deeper into southern Lebanon and hold on to that territory for several weeks, until a multinational force can deploy there, senior Israeli officials said today.

Israel Radio, Israel Army Radio and a senior Israeli government official said ground forces would reach the Litani river, about 30km north of the Israeli-Lebanese border. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to discuss decisions of closed-door government meetings with reporters.