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Israeli General Fired After Criticizing Military's Handling of Conflict in Lebanon

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Israel has fired a top general after he criticized the military's handling of the conflict in Lebanon and called for the resignation of the army chief and prime minister.

Army Chief Dan Halutz says the general made political statements that were not appropriate for a member of the military.

General Yiftah Ron Tal told the media earlier this week that the conflict in Lebanon ended in a failure. He said because of that, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Halutz and other leaders should step down.

Ron Tal says a lack of preparedness led to Israel's failure to reach its objectives in its war with the militant Lebanese Shi'ite group, Hezbollah. That month-long conflict ended August 14 under a United Nations ceasefire resolution.

Ron Tal was a ground troops commander who was on leave ahead of his planned retirement.

Israel launched its offensive into Lebanon after Hezbollah abducted two Israeli soldiers in early July.

It sent 10,000 troops into southern Lebanon to fight Hezbollah guerrillas before the truce ending the month-long war took hold.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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