Israeli media predicts Olmert resignation

JERUSALEM, May 1 (Reuters) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has a ''noose tightening'' around his neck and is in a ''brotherhood being led to the gallows'', Israeli newspapers said, after the publication of a report into his conduct of the Lebanon war.

Israeli media today predicted a ''political earthquake'' that would force Olmert and Defence Minister Amir Peretz to resign following the damning report's release yesterday.

''Never have such harsh things been written about a prime minister as there were in the Winograd report,'' the Yedioth Ahronoth daily said of the findings of the government-appointed commission of inquiry headed by former judge Eliyahu Winograd.

''Olmert's people know the bitter truth: he can't remain prime minister after such a report,'' said the daily Maariv.

Olmert appointed the panel after he came under fire for failing to crush the Hezbollah guerrilla group in 34 days of fighting that left over 1,300 dead last year.

The report did not recommend changing any personnel but said Olmert, Peretz and former army chief Dan Halutz were primarily responsible for Israel's failure during the war. The general has already stepped down.

''Olmert's camp said it was amazed by the severity of the personal conclusions drawn against him in the report,'' Haaretz newspaper said. ''The members of the commission practically prodded the prime minister and defence secretary to resign.'' Despite the panel's findings, several allegations of political corruption and single digit approval ratings, Olmert said he would not resign.

''It would not be right to quit and I have no intention of doing so,'' Olmert said in a televised address yesterday.

''This government made the decision and this government will deal with correcting the defects.'' REUTERS RJ RK1428