Israel yesterday lifted an aerial blockade of Lebanon, but said it would keep its naval blockade of the country in place until international forces take over, a government spokeswoman said.

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

Israeli officials said the United Nations was still working out logistical issues, and they expected the problem to be resolved within 48 hours. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue was an internal "UN matter," adding that Israel is ready to transfer responsibility as soon as the international force is ready.

Bowing to pressure from the United Nations and others, Israel pledged on Wednesday to lift the embargo, saying international forces would take over the task of preventing arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah guerrillas.

It said Italian, French, British and Greek troops would patrol Lebanon's coast until German naval forces arrive within two weeks.

Israel imposed the air, land and sea blockade shortly after the 34-day war against Hezbollah erupted on July 12, when reserve soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were seized on the Israeli side of the border.

A cease-fire took effect three weeks ago, but Israel has kept up the blockade to prevent Hezbollah from rearming or moving the captured soldiers outside Lebanon.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said on Wednesday that Israel had received assurances from the United Nations and the US that international forces in Lebanon were ready to monitor the airports and seaports.

The Israeli army, however, has strong reservations about lifting the blockade without linking it to the release of the captured soldiers, military officials said yesterday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the contradiction between their position and the government's.

The families of both soldiers met yesterday with Olmert to express their concerns as well. After the 45-minute meeting, the families criticized Israel's decision to lift the blockade on Lebanon yesterday, saying Olmert had failed to keep his promise to bring the servicemen home.

Source: China Daily