Expanded Israeli ground offensive imminent

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided today to launch an expanded ground offensive in southern Lebanon, after expressing dissatisfaction over an emerging ceasefire deal, government officials said.

Olmert and his defence minister, Amir Peretz, made the decision after meeting for four hours today.

It was not immediately clear whether the Israeli threat was meant to pressure the UN Security Council, which was to vote on a cease-fire resolution in coming hours, or whether Israel is really determined to send troops deeper into Lebanon.

Israel is upset about apparent last-minute changes in the text, which would seem to weaken the mandate of a multinational force, the officials said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to discuss the contents of the Olmert-Peretz meeting.

Political correspondent Emmanuel Rosen said on Israeli TV’s Channel 10: “The Israeli ground offensive is getting under way, but they are still not ruling out the diplomatic option.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and told her Israel won’t accept any cease-fire deal, Israel TV’s Channel One reported.

Earlier this week, Israel’s Security Cabinet had approved a wider ground offensive until Lebanon’s Litani River, some 18 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border. The decision had been suspended for a few days to allow diplomatic efforts to play themselves out.