Vice Premier Shimon Peres on Saturday rejected claims by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's detractors, saying the prime minister was among the country's greatest premiers.

Speaking to Israel Radio, Peres said that he, as a citizen of Israel and as a member of the Knesset, had faith in Olmert, and described him "as one of the best prime ministers that there has been."

Peres said that Olmert had been judged prematurely, adding that "the economic and social situation in Israel is outstanding."

	Advertisement

He said that even though there were some mistakes made during the second Lebanon war last year, "there was no corruption or crime. Mistakes are made in every war."

Olmert, along with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and former army chief Dan Halutz, has faced criticism for the handling of the war.

The government-appointed commission of inquiry into the way the conflict was conducted said several days ago that its interim report would include conclusions about individuals.

Peres also brushed off claims that opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud was trying to muster a majority of 61 lawmakers in order to oust Olmert and establish a new government, which he would lead.

"Netanyahu has no chance of setting up a government in the current Knesset," but said that "striving for something is a good thing."