The Israel Defense Forces' inquiries into the second Lebanon war will conclude soon, following the submission of the last probe's findings on Friday.

Former chief of staff Dan Shomron conducted the inquiry that focused on the General Staff's performance during the war.

Shomron's conclusions are considered "soft," and he did not recommend personal sanctions against anyone. Chief of Staff Dan Halutz is therefore not required to resign from his position. Halutz will convene the IDF's most senior officers on Monday for a two-day conference at which all the inquiries' findings will be presented. General Staff officers expect that Halutz, encouraged by the Shomron report, will announce his plan to lead rehabilitation efforts based on the probes' conclusions.

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Shomron, who served as chief of staff during the first intifada, told Army Radio upon being appointed to head the inquiry that he did not believe his role included personal recommendations.

Although Shomron's report relies heavily on the findings of other inquiries, it is not written as sharply as those penned by Major General Udi Shani or Major General (res.) Amiram Levin.

Shomron highlights the delay in calling up reservists and Halutz's failure to pressure politicians into authorizing such a call-up - which Halutz admits in retrospect; the belated declaration of a state of war, five days after Hezbollah kidnapped two IDF soldiers on the northern border; the fact no war room was opened in the IDF headquarters' underground bunker; and belated identification of the short-range Katyusha rocket problem.

Shomron has told associates recently that despite his reservations about Halutz's performance and that of the General Staff, he believes the current team should stay in uniform and continue to lead the IDF. Shomron believes that their experience in this unsuccessful war will serve them well in the rehabilitation process.

At an Air Force cadet graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim base Thursday, Halutz praised the four-month inquiry process, which he called the "way to improve and progress," adding: "No inquiry of this kind has ever been carried out in the IDF, with the intention of becoming a better army."

Military sources believe the forward-looking commencement speech is further evidence that Halutz does not plan to resign.