Israeli defence minister considers resigning -radio

JERUSALEM, May 2 (Reuters) Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz is considering stepping down as early as today over sharp criticism of the government's handling of last year's war in Lebanon, Israel Radio and Army Radio reported.

They quoted aides close to Peretz as saying he was considering resigning and could do so ''within hours''.

In addition to Peretz, the government-appointed panel that investigated the Lebanon war directed sharp criticism at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as well as the army chief of staff at the time, Dan Halutz.

Olmert has so far refused to step down. Halutz resigned earlier this year.

Reuters ABM VV1453