Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has no intention of resigning over the expected harsh criticism of his leadership during last year's inconclusive war in Lebanon, an aide told AFP on Sunday. "The prime minister has no intention of resigning, he will remain at the head of the government," the aide said on condition of anonymity a day before publication of an initial report on the war's failures by a government inquiry, headed by retired judge Eliahu Winograd.That's what Halutz said just before he departed the scene.
Government spokeswoman Miri Eisin told AFP that Olmert, who is expected to be harshly criticized over his handling of the 34-day war, "will not react to partial leaks in the media."
"We will wait patiently for the report to be published on Monday afternoon before reacting," Eisin said. Olmert made no mention of the report in his opening statement at the weekly Cabinet meeting. Defense Minister Amir Peretz also had no comment on the report, which is expected to criticize his leadership as well.
Although the five-member Winograd commission, appointed by Olmert last year to stave off calls for a full-scale judicial inquiry into the government's performance during the summer 2006 war, has no authority to order resignations, a harsh report could be the final blow to Olmert's grasp on power.
