The European Union (EU) welcomed on Thursday Israel's announcement that it is lifting its eight- week-long blockade of Lebanon.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external relations and neighborhood policy, said the move is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and is "a key step on the road to normalization and rehabilitation in Lebanon".

"It is important that the Lebanese government extend its control over all Lebanese territory and exercise its full sovereignty. There should be no weapons without its consent and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon," she said.

Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, also expressed satisfaction about the lifting of blockade.

"A lot of Lebanese are still suffering in the aftermath of the conflict," he said, "and the fact that relief items can now enter the country without hindrance will make a significant difference to people's lives."

Israel began to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon Thursday which was part of a UN-brokered cease-fire agreement last month. A spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that the end of the blockade would be a "gradual process" involving a handover to international forces.

Source: Xinhua