Israeli army general fired

2006-10-05 14:44

Jerusalem - A top Israeli general who was about to retire had been fired for calling on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and army chief Dan Halutz to resign over the Lebanon war, said military sources on Thursday.

In a dismissal letter to general Yiftah Ron Tal, commander of ground troops who was on leave ahead of a planned retirement, Halutz wrote: "You have made statements inadmissible for a military member by making political criticisms, notably against the government and its head."

In statements to the media earlier this week, Ron Tal said: "From a military point of view, the war ended in failure and the chief of staff and prime minister should take responsibility" and resign.

Two soldiers released

Ron Tal also denounced the lack of preparedness for the war that failed to achieve its main objectives - freeing two soldiers seized by Hezbollah in July and preventing the Shi'ite militant group from firing rockets into Israel - despite 34 days of intensive Lebanon bombardment.

Halutz issued the dismissal letter after summoning Ron Tal for an "explanation" on Wednesday over the remarks.

According to reports, Ron Tal met two weeks ago with Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the major right-wing opposition party Likud, for which he might soon announce his support.

Israel's offensive on Lebanon began on July 12 and ended under a UN-brokered truce on August 14.

Ron Tal's statements were the latest in a string of attacks leveled at the Israeli leadership over the war.

- AFP