JERUSALEM, April 24 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli military-civilian committee finished a comprehensive report, most of which is top secret, to summarize Israel's security outlook for the first time, local Ha'aretz daily reported on Monday.

    Referring to the report, outgoing Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was quoted as saying on Monday, "For the first time since the days of the nation's founding, an official document has been placed before the leaders of Israel, setting out a comprehensive security viewpoint, both current and long-range."

    The committee, headed by former cabinet minister Dan Meridor and appointed by former prime minister Ariel Sharon, recommended to Mofaz on Sunday that Israel should maintain its policy of nuclear ambiguity, try to secure Jordan's stability since it holds strategic importance for Israel, and that the National Security Council should become the government's central military planning authority, according to the report.

    Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East but the Jewish state has never admitted or denied having nuclear weapons.

    The report also indicates that Israel faces new security risks, including non-conventional weapon threat and terror, noting that terror deterrence is complex and difficult, particularly in territory that lacks governmental hierarchy or against organizations without territory, instead of states.

    The report's overall approach recommends greater emphasis on firepower, particularly remote firepower while attaching greater importance to intelligence and operations from outer space.

    The committee also recommends minor cuts in the defense budget and setting a five-year defense budget based on the assumption that economic growth will continue.

    The 250-page report, dealing with Israel's strategic issues for the next decade, will be highly classified, Ha'aretz said. Enditem