Israel decided not to expand ground operation in southern Lebanon during a security cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday morning, Israel Radio reported.

During the meeting, Olmert said the goals of Israel's 17-day offensive are being met.

The meeting also decided to call up additional reservists to refresh troops in southern Lebanon.

The security cabinet met after nine Israeli soldiers were killed in fierce battles with Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

Senior military personnel requested a widespread call-up of reservists for a two-month-long ground operation to "cleanse" the area south of the Litani River of Hezbollah infrastructure.

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz opposed a large-scale call up of reservists, saying that it would increase Syrian concerns that the operation was directed at them.

Israel launched a massive bombardment and limited ground assault on Lebanese Hezbollah after the Shiite militant group abducted two soldiers on July 12, in a bid to halt its rocket attacks on northern Israel.

More than 400 Lebanese and some 50 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

Source: Xinhua