Israel says naval blockade of Lebanon continuing

JERUSALEM - Israel lifted its blockade of Lebanon's international airport today but said it was keeping a naval blockade in place until an international force deployed off the coast.

"The aerial blockade has been removed. In coordination with the United Nations, the naval blockade will continue until the international naval force is in place," said Miri Eisen, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

An Israeli official said Israel was willing to transfer supervision of Lebanon's coast to the United Nations but "the UN was not ready to receive" because of differences over who would be in charge of the operation.

"When they are ready, we will transfer," the official said.

The Beirut government has asked the United Nations to help patrol its territorial waters. Italian and French naval vessels were expected to begin monitoring the coast now until a German-led naval contingent can take over.

Israel imposed an air and naval blockade on Lebanon after Hizbollah guerrillas abducted two Israeli soldiers on July 12 in a cross-border raid that triggered a war that ended in a ceasefire on Aug 14.

- REUTERS