New Israeli push in Lebanon limited in scale -army

JERUSALEM, Aug 9 (Reuters) A new Israeli push in southern Lebanon is not planned to exceed the current area of military operations, the army said today, playing down a media report that an expanded sweep against Hizbollah was under way.

''This new operation falls within the geographical framework already established,'' said a spokesman, Captain Jacob Dallal.

He said tanks and troops had crossed into Lebanon in order to quell Hizbollah rocket fire from al-Khiam, a town that has already seen fighting. Earlier today, Israel's security cabinet authorised an expanded sweep of southern Lebanon.

Reuters MQA VP0205