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Israeli Minister seeks war probe

JERUSALEM: Defence Minister Amir Peretz is demanding a sweeping, independent inquiry into Israel's recent war in Lebanon, associates said on Friday, creating even greater ferment in a governing coalition destabilised by the conflict.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rebuffed demands for such a probe, which would have the authority to dismiss top officials, and appointed an investigation of his own.

Mr. Olmert plans to seek Cabinet approval on Wednesday for the panel he has appointed. Majority support is expected.

Mr. Peretz issued no public statement on his stand. But participants at a Labour Party meeting on Friday, including lawmakers Avishai Braverman and Ofir Pines-Paz, confirmed the Defence Minister had broken with Mr. Olmert. And Army Radio cited the Minister as saying he supported a so-called judicial inquiry because he wanted a transparent investigation that the public would trust. — AP

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