A former Israeli general with broad experience battling Hizbullah guerrillas in Lebanon won cabinet approval today of his appointment as Israel's new armed forces chief.
Gabi Ashkenazi, currently director-general of the Defence Ministry, will replace Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz, who resigned last month following public criticism of the military's failure to crush Hizbullah in the 2006 Lebanon conflict.
The cabinet voted unanimously to appoint Mr Ashkenazi, a former infantry commander, to the post, officials said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Amir Peretz nominated Mr Ashkenazi two weeks ago.
In broadcast remarks at the start of the cabinet session, Mr Olmert said Mr Ashkenazi (52) will "lead the Israel Defence Forces to full competency and achievements".
Mr Ashkenazi served in southern Lebanon and headed the army's northern command in the final years before Israeli troops, after constant attacks by Hizbullah fighters, withdrew in 2000.
He was widely seen as a safe candidate to replace Mr Halutz, ahead of the preliminary findings, expected in the coming weeks, of a government-appointed panel examining the handling of the war by Israeli leaders and military commanders.
Mr Ashkenazi was not in uniform during the 34 days of fighting in which some 1,200 Lebanese and 157 Israelis were killed. Mr Halutz, a former air force chief, had been heavily criticised by Israeli military affairs experts over what they described as his over-reliance on air power against Hizbullah.
Mr Ashkenazi was expected to begin his four-year term as chief of staff on February 14th.