The New York Times reported that:
Workers at Lebanon’s only airport prepared Thursday to receive a full flow of commercial flights as Israel pledged to lift an air and sea blockade imposed nearly two months ago when the war with Hezbollah guerrillas erupted.
Israel’s announcement brought relief to the war-stricken country, but also set the first test for a U.N. peacekeeping force charged with keeping arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah.
Israel had come under international pressure to lift a blockade threatening to derail a U.N. cease-fire that ended 34 days of fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The blockade hampered rebuilding efforts, and business leaders said it cost the country about $50 million a day.
Reuters added that:
Israel, which imposed the blockade at the outset of its 34-day war with Hizbollah, had vowed to maintain it until Lebanese and international measures were in place to stop its Shi’ite Islamist foes from getting more arms from Syria or Iran.
It said on Wednesday it had decided to lift the embargo at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Thursday after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. chief Kofi Annan told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that “international forces are ready to take over control posts over the sea ports and airports of Lebanon”.
However, Lebanon has not agreed to any international monitoring at its ports or airport, although it has asked for German technical aid in securing its borders and entry points.
