Israel: Cease-fire won't set fate of Sheba Farms

Israel's ambassador to the United States said Sunday that Israel did not rule out withdrawing from the disputed Sheba Farms territory but added that such a pullout would not be part of any deal to end the 19 days of fighting with the Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon. Aides to Ehud Olmert, who met late Saturday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the prime minister was not opposed to a pullout from the disputed border area - a key Lebanese demand - as a gesture to strengthen Lebanon's government.