JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday rejected a state inquiry into the government's handling of the war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, despite widespread calls for a broad, independent investigation. Instead, he authorized a less-powerful probe to be headed by a former head of the Mossad spy agency. A state inquiry would have the authority to dismiss top officials.
In a speech in the northern city of Haifa, Olmert said the government doesn't have the "luxury" to spend long periods of time investigating the past.
Olmert also said he accepted full responsibility for the government's decision to go to war.
"The decision ... was entirely mine," he said in a speech in the northern city of Haifa, where he addressed leaders of northern communities damaged by Hezbollah rocket fire.
The government has been heavily criticized for its handling of the 34- day war, and the public has been clamoring for an investigation.
Olmert also defended his decision to authorize a last-minute ground offensive in Lebanon, despite the heavy casualties suffered by Israeli forces.
Thirty-three soldiers were killed in the offensive, launched even as a cease-fire agreement was taking place. Speaking in the northern city of Haifa, Olmert said the offensive helped push the cease-fire through the United Nations.
While expressing sorrow for the heavy casualties, he said the offensive was "unavoidable."
