Olmert- Israel will fight until force deploys

JERUSALEM, Aug 2: Israel will keep fighting Hizbollah guerillas in south Lebanon until a strong international force is deployed, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a Reuters interview today.

Olmert said he wanted the peacekeepers to have a mandate that would include enforcing a resolution calling for the disarmament of Hizbollah, adding that Israel's offensive had already destroyed much of the group's military ability.

''If indeed, as we hope, the international force will be an effective force made of combat units, then we will be able to stop fire when the international force will be on the ground in the south part of Lebanon,'' Olmert said.

Asked if that meant Israel would carry on fighting until then, Olmert said ''Yes.''

REUTERS