Former U.S. Official Admits Lebanon Truce Delay

An Israeli tank moving into Lebanon in July 2006 (epa) March 23, 2007 -- John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says the United States deliberately delayed calling for a cease-fire in last summer's conflict in Lebanon to give Israel a chance to eliminate Hizballah's military capabilities.

Bolton told the BBC that the United States decided to join efforts to end the conflict only after it became clear Israel's campaign wasn't working.

Bolton, who stepped down in December, told the AP in a separate interview that "many" Arab governments privately wanted Israel to destroy Hizballah.

(news.bbc.co.uk., AP)