Israeli general quits, Hezbollah pleased

JERUSALEM, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The resignation of Israel's military chief of staff Wednesday was heralded by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement as proof of victory in last summer's war.

Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz tendered his resignation after 20 months of leading the military, which has been criticized in internal investigations for not meeting goals in last summer's 33-day war along the Lebanese border.

In Beirut, al-Manar, Hezbollah's official television station, interrupted broadcasts with news reports of the Israeli government's "failures in the last war."

In Gaza, Abu Obaidah, spokesman for Hamas' armed wing, said Halutz had resigned not only because of Lebanon, but also because the Israeli military had been ineffective at stopping the resistance in the Gaza Strip.

Syrian state television called Halutz' resignation the latest "blow to the government of (Irsaeli Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert, which is subjected to a string of political scandals."

Wednesday, Halutz said he planned to stay in place until a successor is chosen and the changeover is complete, the Jerusalem Post reported.