U S urges Israeli restraint in new offensive

WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Reuters) The United States urged Israel to use the ''utmost care'' in avoiding civilian casualties after the Jewish state decided today to expand its ground offensive in Lebanon.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Israel had a right to defend itself from Hizbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon but that the United States was very concerned about the humanitarian situation. ''Israel must take the utmost care in avoiding civilian casualties,'' he told Reuters.

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