Israel begins lifting blockade on Lebanon

A spokesman for Israeli Foreign Ministry Thursday said that Israeli army began lifting the blockade on Lebanon at 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT).

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev told media that the army began lifting the air blockade shortly after 6:00 p.m., but failed to give the time for completion.

Meanwhile, Miri Eisen, spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, also confirmed the end of aerial blockade on Lebanon, but said that the planned end to a siege on sea ports has been postponed for 48 hours.

"What starts at 6.00 p.m. is a gradual process, it could take hours or a day (to complete)," Eisen was quoted by Israeli media as saying.

On Wednesday, Israeli government announced that Israel to lift its naval and aerial blockade on Lebanon on Thursday evening.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office also said in a statement that international forces would take control of Lebanese seaports and airports as soon as Israel lift its blockade on Thursday evening.

In order to prevent the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah from rearming, Israel imposed the air, land and sea blockade shortly after the 34-day war against Hezbollah erupted on July 12.

Source: Xinhua