Israel to lift Lebanese blockade on Thursday

Lebanon responded by asking Annan to authorize sending German naval vessels to patrol the Lebanese coast.

That request, although largely a formality, put in place another piece of a blockade-lifting plan the UN secretary general had cobbled together in recent days. Italian and Greek vessels are expected to patrol the coast until a promised German fleet arrives.

Blockade crippled trade

Israel, which bombed Beirut's airport in July and stationed naval vessels off the coast, has maintained a land, sea and air blockade of the country since the start of its offensive against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah eight weeks ago. The aim was to prevent arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah fighters.

The blockade continued despite a UN-brokered ceasefire three weeks ago. Although some international flights have resumed, it has crippled trade for the country of 3.8 million.

The CBC's Nahlah Ayed, reporting from Beirut, said the Lebanese were waiting anxiously for it to be lifted.

"Since the beginning of the ceasefire, that has been of the utmost concern for the government and for the people," she said.

"When we've talked to people on the street about what they want to see happen next, that has been their No. 1 concern — to be able to use their ports and their airports independently and without having to worry about a blockade."

Lebanon imports all of its gasoline, among other items, she said. "This country depends on its ports — it's got four major ports that bring in all kinds of goods from around the region and beyond — and also on the airports to move its people."

Lebanon threatens to break blockade

The Israeli announcement came hours after Lebanon's foreign minister was quoted as saying his country would try to break the blockade if Israel did not lift it.

It was not clear how Lebanon's small armed forces, equipped with helicopters and patrol boats, could prevail against the much stronger Israeli military or what other measures the country could take to open its borders.

On Tuesday, Annan had said he hoped the blockade could be lifted in 48 hours under a deal in which European naval vessels would patrol the Lebanese coast.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh welcomed Annan's plan on Wednesday, but said he was unwilling to wait much longer.

"We will wait for the 48 hours given by Kofi Annan, and if the situation is resolved, we will thank him," Reuters quoted Salloukh as saying in Cairo, where he was attending a meeting of Arab foreign ministers.

"If it is not, the Lebanese government will take the necessary measures and we will break the blockade with all our might."

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