State Comptroller to grill Peretz, Dichter, Halutz on Lebanon war

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss will question Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Chief of Staff Dan Halutz at the end of the month about their conduct during the recent war in Lebanon.

The meetings will take place at the State Comptroller's Office in Jerusalem.

"I am not ruling out the possibility that if we get to a certain point in the inquiry that requires explanations, we will address any person, because it is within our authority to receive explanations from every level, [including] the Israel Defense Forces [and] the government," Lindenstrauss said some six weeks ago during a meeting of the Knesset State Control Committee.

Responding to a question from MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) about whether Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Peretz would be summoned for questioning, the state comptroller added: "The issue will be discussed when we reach the conclusion that we need answers. I am meeting with anyone who had anything at all to do with the war."

Since the war ended, the State Comptroller's Office has been carrying out a comprehensive and thorough examination of issues related to the fighting in the North.

The State Control Committee is now waiting for the comptroller's interim report, which could serve as a basis for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

	IDF reserve soldiers greeting each other after returning from south Lebanon in August. (AP)