Israel's Peretz mulling resignation within two days:report

Under intense pressure from within his Labor Party in the wake of the Winograd Committee's findings on his failures in the Second Lebanon War, Amir Peretz is considering submitting his resignation as Israeli Defense Minister within two days, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.

According to Winograd Committee's interim report released Monday, Peretz "did not have knowledge or experience in military, political or governmental matters. He also did not have good knowledge of the basic principles of using military force to achieve political goals..."

"His serving as minister of defense during the war impaired Israel's ability to respond well to his challenges," the report said.

Earlier in the week, Peretz had argued that the Winograd report showed that he displayed understanding that more experienced people had not shown, and that he needs not to resign immediately.

Local Ha'aretz wrote that this step could add momentum to mounting efforts within the coalition and the ruling Kadima party to persuade Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign from office.

In the wake of the severe criticism by Winograd Committee, Olmert insisted that he would not step down.

Source: Xinhua