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Israel's prime minister has distanced himself from comments by a member of his cabinet who suggested Israel was heading for a new war with Lebanon, the BBC reported on its Web site Sunday.
Israel was "not seeking any conflict" with Lebanon, Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to the BBC.
Earlier, Yossi Peled, minister without portfolio and a reserve army general, had said that a repeat of the 2006 war with Lebanon was only a matter of time.
More than 1,000 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and about 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died in the conflict.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarifies that Israel is not seeking any conflict with Lebanon," the Israel leader said in a statement on Saturday, the BBC said.
"Israel seeks peace with its neighbours."
The statement came shortly after comments by Mr Peled were broadcast in which the minister said Israel was "heading towards a new confrontation".
"In my estimation, understanding and knowledge it is almost clear to me that it is a matter of time before there is a military clash in the north," he said.
The 2006 war began when Israel launched air and sea attacks on targets in Lebanon, after Lebanese militant group Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers. During the conflict, Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
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