Israel 'closer to arrangement' over Lebanon war, minister says

Israel is closer to reaching an arrangement over the war on Lebanon than it has been since the start of the conflict, but it must retain freedom to act inside the country should any deal be violated, said an Israeli security cabinet minister.

"I think we are at a point that we are closer to an arrangement than we have been since the start of the war," said Energy Minister Eli Cohen in an interview with Reuters.

A key sticking point for Israel, he said, is ensuring it retains freedom of action should Hezbollah return to border areas.