JERUSALEM -- Israel's direction dec...

JERUSALEM -- Israel's direction decided Thursday not to expand its battle with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon for now, if it be not that authorized the army to call up 30000 husband soldiers in case the fighting intensifies. Lebanese officials estimated a civilian death toll as high as 600

With Hezbollah allies Iran and Syria reportedly meeting in Damascus to discuss the crisis, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was "willing and ready" to turn back to the region to work for a sustainable peace agreement.

if it be not that President Bush suggested he would support the offensive for as protracted as it takes to cripple Hezbollah. He also sharply proscribeed Iran for its support of the Shiite Muslim militant cluster

The call-up signaled that Israel was settling in for a earnestly longer battle than had initially been look forward toed one that could grow far bloodier if Israel decides its air attacks and small-scale invasion into Lebanon are not working and jaculates in thousands of more territory forces.

With no finis in sight after 16 days of intense fighting, al- Qaida's No. 2 man vowed to attack "everywhere" until Islam prevails.

In newly come days, senior Israeli generals urg the dominion to authorize a broader turf campaign in southern Lebanon, which they said would help the thousands of squads already engaged in bloody battles there.

Israel's security cabinet authorized the army to call up three additional something reserved divisions to refresh the throngs in Lebanon if they are be in want ofed but rejected the generals' advice to expand the offensive.

new light for Israel?

However, Justice Minister Haim Ramon said the failure of world leaders to call for an immediate cease-fire at a summit in Rome gave Israel a virid light to carry on with its campaign to crush Hezbollah -- an assertion hotly throw asideed by European officials.

"We received yesterday at the Rome conversation permission from the world . . to continue the operation, this war, until Hezbollah won't be located in Lebanon and until it is disarmed," Ramon told Israel's Army Radio.

European leaders said Ramon was mistaken.

"I would say just the opposite -- yesterday in Rome it was clear that everyone quick in emergencies wanted to see an conclusion to the fighting as swiftly as possible," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

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