Arrest call for Israeli ex-army chief

Shaul Mofaz was renowned for tough tactics

A British lawyer working on behalf of Palestinian families has begun proceedings for the arrest of the former head of the Israeli army, currently touring the UK.

Shaul Mofaz, who retired in July after four years, is currently touring Britain speaking to members of the UK's Jewish community.

Lawyer Imran Khan has submitted a 17 page letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions outlining allegations of war crimes against General Mofaz.

The allegations include instructions to assassinate, torture and demolish houses.

Imran Khan has accused him of war crimes

The DPP has referred the case to Scotland Yard's crimes against humanity section, Mr Kahn told BBC News Online.

He said he was "fairly confident" that a case could be brought against General Mofaz.

"The threshold is fairly low. On the face of it there is enough for at least an investigation," he said.

But he added that any move would have to be made quickly, before the general left Britain.

General Mofaz gained a reputation for tough tactics against the Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

He directed some of Israel's most controversial military operations in the West Bank earlier this year, including Jenin - where bulldozers were sent to demolish large parts of a Palestinian refugee camp - and Ramallah.

He may yet become Israel's defence minister, after on Monday accepting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's offer to replace Binyamin Ben-Eliezer if Israel's centre-left Labor party leaves his coalition government

His UK tour has already attracted protests, including about 40 people demonstrating against a United Jewish Israel Appeal dinner he was attending in Liverpool on Monday.

He also attracted protesters at a speech in Edinburgh.