Israel will not be a hostage of terrorist gangs, said Ehud Olmert in his first address to the Israeli parliament since the conflict began. The Israeli prime minister said the country would continue with its military campaign against Hezbollah until its two captured soldiers were returned and the Lebanese army controlled southern Lebanon.

Olmert added that what he called a free Lebanon was beneficial to Israel. He claimed that Israel did not ask for the conflict, adding he wanted nothing more than peace and good neighbourly relations. But he also said that Israel rejected any attempt to harm the country and that he had the support of the international community.

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