Israeli Cabinet approves expanded Lebanon offensive

An expanded Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon could reach beyond the Litani River. (AFP)

The Israeli Prime Minister's office says the country's security Cabinet has ordered an expanded ground offensive in Lebanon aimed at striking a harder blow against Hezbollah and curbing its cross-border rocket attacks.

The decision by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and top ministers to send troops deeper into Lebanon, possibly beyond the Litani River, up to 30 kilometres north of the border, would bring a major escalation, despite United Nations (UN) diplomacy to end the war.

"The security Cabinet approved the recommendations of the defence establishment for the continuation of operations in Lebanon," a statement said.

Defence Minister Amir Peretz had recommended a deeper thrust into Lebanon despite, what media reports said were Mr Olmert's fears of heavy Israeli casualties in such a large-scale operation.

Nine ministers approved the decision while three abstained.

Israel already has about 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon, and it was not immediately clear how many more would be deployed in the widened military campaign.

Mr Olmert's office says further details will be released in a separate statement, but Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai told public radio after the meeting that the offensive could drag on for another month or more.

Meanwhile, a top American official has made a previously unannounced visit to Beirut for talks with the Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The visit by Assistant Secretary of State David Welch comes as French and American diplomats redraft the text of a UN Security Council resolution that aims to end the fighting in Lebanon.
French President Jacques Chirac says it is essential the UN agrees on a workable resolution which includes an immediate cease-fire.

"Our objective is to achieve a cessation of hostilities so that the thousands of deaths as well as the suffering and the destruction should be put to an end," he said.

"This is our absolute priority."

-Reuters/BBC