Israel suspends ground offensive

Israel put its new military campaign in Lebanon on hold today to give diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire another chance.

Israel’s security cabinet approved an expanded ground offensive in Lebanon yesterday, but prime minister Ehud Olmert decided to put the campaign on hold for two or three days, to see whether diplomatic efforts would produce results, a senior Israeli government official said today.

Asked by Israel Radio about the plans for such a delay, cabinet minister Rafi Eitan said: “There are diplomatic considerations. There is still a chance that an international force will arrive in the area.

“We have no interest in being in south Lebanon. We have an interest in peace on our borders.”