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    JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli government will work to prepare Israel's home front for any scenario, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday during the first session by the new cabinet set up to strengthen Haifa and northern Israel, local Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

    Olmert told cabinet ministers that "we'll be acting both in the security establishment and through civilian bodies to prepare the home front for the scenarios. We should be taking into account in light of the circumstances."

    The prime minister also said that he intends to direct all government ministers to dedicate much of their time to handling the north.

    "We'll do everything to turn the rehabilitation of Haifa and the north to a central objective in Israel's national priorities," he added.

    On Sunday, Israeli government unanimously approved the plan to boost northern communities in the wake of the war. The budgetary framework for the project, which was estimated at about 900 million U.S. dollars will be determined in about three weeks.

    According to the plan, the cabinet will set up a special steering committee headed by the Prime Minister's Office director general as well as the directors of various government ministries. The committee will be tasked with preparing a plan to reinforce the north, said the report.

    According to the government decision, the cabinet will provide a response to all northern communities, whether they are Jewish, Arab, Bedouin or others.

    In addition, Vice Premier Shimon Peres will be tasked with establishing a public committee that will include business figures. The committee will be promoting investment in Haifa and the north. Enditem