Israel decides against big Lebanon invasion

JERUSALEM, July 27 (Reuters) Israel's cabinet today decided against launching a bigger ground offensive against Hizbollah guerrillas, but called up more reserves to be able to prolong the campaign in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet of senior ministers met after nine soldiers were killed in south Lebanon yesterday, the heaviest loss the army has suffered in 24 hours since the war began.

''It was decided to continue the offensive with the same strategy, using pinpointed ground incursions and air strikes, not to bring in massive forces,'' one political source said.

''At the moment the army is not bound by time, it can act as long as needed.'' The cabinet said in a statement that it gave approval for the army to call up more reserves if need be, to give other soldiers time to rest.

Officials said this did not mean the offensive was being expanded, but was a way of allowing troops to be rotated away from the battlefront. The army gave no figures for the number to be called up. Israeli media put it at about 3,000.

''I hope we will not need this (reserve) force, but if we do need this force, it should be ready,'' said Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer.

''These soldiers are not only doing a great job, but have the motivation to continue and continue and continue.'' Israel Radio said ministers made clear they had no intention of widening the conflict to confront Syria, which backs Hizbollah.

Syria pulled out of Lebanon last year after decades of occupation.

Israeli forces have been trying to push Hizbollah back from the border and end rocket attacks since the Shi'ite group abducted two soldiers in a raid on July 12, but the army is wary of getting bogged down in guerrilla battles in southern Lebanon.

REUTERS AB ND2058