UN blames Israel for truce violations in Lebanon

Annan has urged Israel to lift aerial and naval blockade imposed on Lebanon since the beginning of the war.

In a scathing criticism, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday said Israel was responsible for most of the ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon and urged it to lift aerial and naval blockade imposed on the West Asian country since the beginning of the war.

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Annan, whose Israel visit is part of a 11-day West Asia tour, made the remarks during his meeting with Defence Minister Amir Peretz in Jerusalem.

He called upon the Isareli administration to strengthen the truce in conjunction with the ongoing political efforts in order to ensure that the ceasefire holds.

Lifting the blockade would allow Lebanon to renew normal economic activity and rehabilitate its economy hard hit by the recent war, Annan said.

He also simultaneously emphasised the need to end arms shipments to Hezbollah and joint action for peace in a bid to avoid another round of violence in the future.

Peretz, meanwhile, expressed hopes that the arms embargo on Lebanon will be implemented soon.

Peretz stressed upon the need to secure the release of the abducted soldiers during his meeting with Annan, which is also a part of the resolution.

Annan expressed hopes that French and Italian forces would arrive in the region by Friday, thus doubling the current strength of the peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

Urging both sides to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Annan said it is not a 'minor matter', but rather, an 'important one'.

The Secretary General earlier met the families of abducted soldiers and promised them to pursue their release.