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Israel aims to end siege 'soon' Annan urges Israel to end siege
(about 3 hours later)
Israel hopes to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon soon, Defence Minister Amir Peretz has told UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. UN chief Kofi Annan has used talks in Jerusalem to demand an end to Israel's air and sea blockade of Lebanon.
Mr Annan has made clear that he intends to press for an end to the blockade throughout his 24-hour visit to Israel. Mr Annan, who flew to Israel from a visit to Lebanon, told Defence Minister Amir Peretz the "humiliating" blockade should be lifted as soon as possible.
Israel has previously made clear its concerns about the possible rearming of Hezbollah must be addressed first.
Mr Annan also said Israel had committed most of the violations reported in the two-week-old truce with Hezbollah.
We need to deal with the lifting of the embargo - sea, land and air - which for the Lebanese is a humiliation and an infringement on their sovereignty Kofi AnnanUN Secretary General
Mr Annan's regional tour is aimed at bolstering the fragile ceasefire.
He flew to Tel Aviv by helicopter after witnessing the scenes of devastation in south Lebanon wrought during a month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.He flew to Tel Aviv by helicopter after witnessing the scenes of devastation in south Lebanon wrought during a month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Mr Annan's regional tour is aimed at bolstering the two-week-old truce. Before leaving Lebanon, Mr Annan described Israel's continuing embargo as "a humiliation and an infringement on [Lebanese] sovereignty".
Before leaving Lebanon, Mr Annan described the embargo as "a humiliation and an infringement on [Lebanese] their sovereignty".
The issue was among the key points raised at his meeting with Mr Peretz, his first with a senior politician after arriving in Israel.The issue was among the key points raised at his meeting with Mr Peretz, his first with a senior politician after arriving in Israel.
Mr Peretz did not specify what conditions would have to be in place before Israel lifted the blockade, but the government has previously made clear its concerns about the possible rearming of Hezbollah would have to be addressed first. 'Weapons transfers'
Embattled leaders Afterwards, Mr Peretz said he had emphasised to Mr Annan the issue of the transfer of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah, and Israel's concerns about Iran posing a threat.
Mr Annan will have talks on Wednesday with embattled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who - along with Mr Peretz - has been heavily criticised over the way the military action was conducted. He also said Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon for "several weeks, no longer than that", and would pull out once the UN's expanded peace force was on the ground in "reasonable" numbers.
Mr Annan said the force would number 5,000 "relatively quickly", to clear the way for the Israeli pullout.
Kofi Annan met families of the captured Israeli soldiersKofi Annan met families of the captured Israeli soldiers
Mr Annan will have talks on Wednesday with embattled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who - along with Mr Peretz - has been heavily criticised over the way the military action was conducted.
He also held a meeting on Tuesday with the families of the two soldiers whose capture sparked the crisis.He also held a meeting on Tuesday with the families of the two soldiers whose capture sparked the crisis.
Mr Annan has urged Hezbollah to free the men speedily. Mr Annan has urged Hezbollah to free the men speedily, and told the relatives that he would continue to press for their freedom.
Mr Annan had promised to do "everything in his power" to bring about the release of the boys, said Benny Regev, whose brother Eldad is among those being held.
Unusual visit
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says that it is highly unusual to see the UN chief in Israel - with several Security Council resolutions outstanding against it - and many Israelis view the organisation with suspicion.The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says that it is highly unusual to see the UN chief in Israel - with several Security Council resolutions outstanding against it - and many Israelis view the organisation with suspicion.
But put simply, Israel currently needs the UN, he says.But put simply, Israel currently needs the UN, he says.
Mr Olmert's only hope of regaining public support is a secure northern border - and that can only happen through the UN force, our correspondent says.
UN TROOP PLEDGES France - leadership and 2,000 troopsItaly - 2,500-3,000 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 probesUN TROOP PLEDGES France - leadership and 2,000 troopsItaly - 2,500-3,000 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
Before leaving Lebanon for Israel, Mr Annan met Lebanese leaders to discuss the force, which is to be expanded from 2,000 to 15,000. Mr Olmert's only hope of regaining public support is a secure northern border - and that can only happen through the UN force, our correspondent says.
Before leaving Lebanon for Israel, Mr Annan met Lebanese leaders to discuss the force, which is to be expanded from 2,000 to a total of 15,000.
He later flew by helicopter from Beirut to the UN peacekeepers' headquarters in the southern port of Naqoura, in an area still occupied by Israeli troops and tanks.He later flew by helicopter from Beirut to the UN peacekeepers' headquarters in the southern port of Naqoura, in an area still occupied by Israeli troops and tanks.
There he reviewed an honour guard of UN troops on the lawn of the white-walled UN compound.There he reviewed an honour guard of UN troops on the lawn of the white-walled UN compound.
After about two-and-a-half hours, Mr Annan set off on an airborne tour of some of the areas in southern Lebanon most heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict.After about two-and-a-half hours, Mr Annan set off on an airborne tour of some of the areas in southern Lebanon most heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict.
After visiting Israel, Mr Annan will travel on to Iran and Syria, countries with close links to Hezbollah.After visiting Israel, Mr Annan will travel on to Iran and Syria, countries with close links to Hezbollah.