Bill advances in Knesset to make Jerusalem capital

A bill in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel was approved unamended Monday by the Knesset's Law Committee. The vote means there is no obstacle to the bill's being presented for second and third readings.

The legislation, the first of its kind, recognizes the annexation of East Jerusalem shortly after the city was captured from Jordan in 1967 and defines the reunified city as the Israeli capital. The United States has urged Israel not to take any action that might influence the ultimate status of the city before it is decided in negotiations.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian targets deep in south Lebanon Monday and killed a number of guerrillas, a military spokesman said. The Israeli troops destroyed Palestinian bases north of the Litani River. Israeli forces reportedly returned home without casualties.