JERUSALEM, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the formation of a government inquiry committee to look into the handling of the Israel-Lebanon conflict, local media reported.

    The inquiry committee, headed by retired judge Eliyahu Winograd, will look into decisions made by Israel's political and military leaders during the 34-day conflict.

    Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting that the Winograd Commission will be given the same authority as a state commission, local daily Ha'aretz reported.

    "It is the intention of the government to bestow upon the committee the powers of a state investigation, in accordance with the law," Olmert was quoted as saying.

    After the conflict ended according to the UN brokered resolution 1701, Olmert has admitted that there were shortcomings in the handling of the war, and was widely called to establish a state inquiry committee to probe the issue.

    Olmert had previously authorized to set up two governmental commissions, which would separately investigate arrangements of the war, in stead of launching the state inquiry. The decision has drawn criticism from both the public and the politicians. Enditem