Israel estimates Lebanon fighting over in weeks

JERUSALEM, July 18 (Reuters) Israel's deputy army chief today estimated that an offensive against Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon would end within a few weeks, adding the Jewish state needed more time to complete ''very clear goals''.

''The fighting in Lebanon will end within a few weeks. We will not take months,'' Major-General Moshe Kaplinsky told Army Radio.

''We need more time to complete our very clear goals. When we fight terror it is a war that needs to be very accurate, very schematic and it takes time.'' Israel has said it wants Hizbollah disarmed and unable to attack northern Israel with rockets again.

An Israeli government source has said Israel may step up attacks in the coming days, mindful that its chief ally, the United States, might not resist indefinitely international pressure for a ceasefire. Washington has backed Israel's right to self-defence.

Israel launched the offensive a week ago after Hizbollah abducted two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others in a cross-border raid.

Reuters SB VA DS1230