Israeli defence minister says no immediate truce

Jerusalem, Jul 31: Defence Minister Amir Peretz said today Israel cannot agree to an immediate ceasefire in its military operation against Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon despite a 48-hour suspension in air attacks.

''We must not agree to a ceasefire that would be implemented immediately. Only whoever manages to neutralise terror can bring peace,'' Peretz told a heated parliamentary debate.

''If an immediate ceasefire is declared, the extremists will rear their heads a new. In a few months we will be back in the same place,'' he said.

Peretz said Israel would continue its offensive despite the 48-hour suspension, which he called a ''humanitarian gesture''.

Peretz's comments came after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Jerusalem she believed a ceasefire and agreement on an international force for south Lebanon could be forged this week.

REUTERS