Israel to start Lebanon pullout within 2 weeks-Web site

JERUSALEM, Aug 13 (Reuters) The Israeli army will begin pulling out of southern Lebanon, where they have been fighting Hizbollah guerrillas in a major offensive, within a week or two, the Israeli Web site YNET News reported today.

The Web site quoted a senior official in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office as saying Israeli troops would start withdrawing from the territory after the first international forces and the Lebanese army arrive in the area.

Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the report.

Israeli cabinet ministers yesterday said that the army would quit south Lebanon when UN troops moved in to enforce a ceasefire, as directed by a UN Security Council resolution.

Israel's government is set to vote on the decision on Sunday.

A UN envoy said earlier the United Nations expected the Israeli assault to wind down in one to two days and an expanded international force to begin deploying in a week to 10 days.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the army would halt offensive operations in Lebanon tomorrow.

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said Israel would continue to engage Hizbollah in areas where the military was operating if troops were attacked.

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