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Annan to see Lebanon destruction Annan to see Lebanon destruction
(about 1 hour later)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to see first-hand the destruction wrought in south Lebanon during the four-week conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to see first-hand the destruction wrought in south Lebanon during the four-week conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Mr Annan will also visit the port of Naqoura, home to the UN peacekeeping force, which is to be significantly expanded under the UN-backed ceasefire. Mr Annan landed at the southern port of Naqoura, home to the UN peacekeeping force, after flying in from Beirut.
The force is to be significantly expanded under the UN-backed ceasefire, which ended the fighting.
The UN chief will travel on to Israel, as he continues his regional tour to try to bolster the two-week old truce.The UN chief will travel on to Israel, as he continues his regional tour to try to bolster the two-week old truce.
On Monday, Mr Annan was jeered by Hezbollah supporters in south Beirut.On Monday, Mr Annan was jeered by Hezbollah supporters in south Beirut.
The secretary general toured the bomb-damaged area following talks with Lebanon's political leaders.The secretary general toured the bomb-damaged area following talks with Lebanon's political leaders.
Mr Annan said he would urge the Israeli government to lift its blockade of Lebanon's ports and airports, imposed at the start of the conflict.Mr Annan said he would urge the Israeli government to lift its blockade of Lebanon's ports and airports, imposed at the start of the conflict.
He also called on Hezbollah to free two Israeli soldiers, whose capture on 12 July triggered the fighting.He also called on Hezbollah to free two Israeli soldiers, whose capture on 12 July triggered the fighting.
Villages wreckedVillages wrecked
Mr Annan will visit UN troops at their base in Naqoura, in an area still occupied by Israeli troops and tanks. Mr Annan flew by helicopter from Beirut to Naquora, in an area still occupied by Israeli troops and tanks.
UN TROOP PLEDGES France - leadership and 2,000 troopsItaly - 2,000 - 3,000 troopsBangladesh - two battalions (up to 2,000 troops)Malaysia - one battalionSpain - one mechanised battalionIndonesia - one battalion, an engineering companyNepal - one battalionDenmark - at least two shipsPoland - 500 troopsFinland - 250 troopsBelgium - 302 troops, later rising to 392Germany - maritime and border patrols but no combat troopsNorway - 100 soldiers Crisis in facts and figures Olmert orders probes He will then take an airborne tour over some of the areas in southern Lebanon most heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict. UN TROOP PLEDGES France - leadership and 2,000 troopsItaly - 2,000 - 3,000 troopsBangladesh - two battalions (up to 2,000 troops)Malaysia - one battalionSpain - one mechanised battalionIndonesia - one battalion, an engineering companyNepal - one battalionDenmark - at least two shipsPoland - 500 troopsFinland - 250 troopsBelgium - 302 troops, later rising to 392Germany - maritime and border patrols but no combat troopsNorway - 100 soldiers Crisis in facts and figures Olmert orders probes From there he will take an airborne tour over some of the areas in southern Lebanon most heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Naqoura says although Mr Annan received a rough reception in south Beirut, most people in southern Lebanon do want more UN peacekeepers deployed.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Naqoura says although Mr Annan received a rough reception in south Beirut, most people in southern Lebanon do want more UN peacekeepers deployed.
He says many villages are in ruins and unexploded rockets, bombs and mines litter the ground.He says many villages are in ruins and unexploded rockets, bombs and mines litter the ground.
Local people are reluctant to return to their homes near the border until the last Israelis have pulled out, our correspondent adds.Local people are reluctant to return to their homes near the border until the last Israelis have pulled out, our correspondent adds.
Israel has said it will not withdraw until the expanded UN force is deployed alongside the Lebanese army in areas currently occupied by Hezbollah forces.Israel has said it will not withdraw until the expanded UN force is deployed alongside the Lebanese army in areas currently occupied by Hezbollah forces.
EU states have pledged some 7,000 troops towards the force's 15,000-strong target.EU states have pledged some 7,000 troops towards the force's 15,000-strong target.
On Monday the Italian government approved sending 2,500 troops - the largest national contingent so far.On Monday the Italian government approved sending 2,500 troops - the largest national contingent so far.
The force - expected to include engineers, marines, special forces and bomb disposal experts - will set sail for Lebanon on Tuesday. The force - comprising engineers, marines, special forces and bomb disposal experts - will set sail for Lebanon on Tuesday.
Initially they will serve under French command, but Italy will take over leadership of the force in February.Initially they will serve under French command, but Italy will take over leadership of the force in February.
Israeli probeIsraeli probe
Mr Annan is due to travel to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, before continuing on to Iran and Syria, countries with close links to Hezbollah.Mr Annan is due to travel to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, before continuing on to Iran and Syria, countries with close links to Hezbollah.
Israel is looking for better guarantees that Hezbollah will not rearm and has said its blockade against Lebanon will remain in place until an arms embargo is implemented against the militant group.Israel is looking for better guarantees that Hezbollah will not rearm and has said its blockade against Lebanon will remain in place until an arms embargo is implemented against the militant group.
Mr Olmert has announced that two governmental committees of inquiry will be set up into the handling of the conflict in Lebanon - one dealing with political matters, the other military affairs.Mr Olmert has announced that two governmental committees of inquiry will be set up into the handling of the conflict in Lebanon - one dealing with political matters, the other military affairs.
This falls short of demands for an independent state commission which would have had the power to recommend that top officials step down, the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Jerusalem reports.This falls short of demands for an independent state commission which would have had the power to recommend that top officials step down, the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Jerusalem reports.
Mr Olmert's critics are likely to accuse him of trying to dodge criticism, but he says there is no time for a full blown investigation.Mr Olmert's critics are likely to accuse him of trying to dodge criticism, but he says there is no time for a full blown investigation.
Speaking in Haifa on Monday, Mr Olmert admitted to "failures" during the offensive, but defended his decision to launch the campaign.Speaking in Haifa on Monday, Mr Olmert admitted to "failures" during the offensive, but defended his decision to launch the campaign.