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Israel eases blockade of Lebanon Israel eases blockade of Lebanon
(20 minutes later)
Israel has begun to lift its blockade of Lebanon, eight weeks after imposing it following the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah militants.Israel has begun to lift its blockade of Lebanon, eight weeks after imposing it following the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah militants.
Israel said the air blockade was lifted at 1800 (1500GMT) but the naval embargo would remain until a sufficient UN naval force was in place.Israel said the air blockade was lifted at 1800 (1500GMT) but the naval embargo would remain until a sufficient UN naval force was in place.
The UN and EU welcomed the easing but the soldiers' relatives said it should happen only after the pair were freed. Relatives of the captured soldiers had said the blockade should remain until the pair were freed.
The embargo held back recovery after Israel's seven-week bombardment.The embargo held back recovery after Israel's seven-week bombardment.
Fighting ended on 14 August after the UN passed Resolution 1701 which called for a ceasefire and security arrangements for Israel's northern border.Fighting ended on 14 August after the UN passed Resolution 1701 which called for a ceasefire and security arrangements for Israel's northern border.
The two kidnapped soldiers are currently in Lebanon - tomorrow, with the blockade lifted, they can find themselves in Tehran Benny Regev, brother of captured soldierThe two kidnapped soldiers are currently in Lebanon - tomorrow, with the blockade lifted, they can find themselves in Tehran Benny Regev, brother of captured soldier
But Israel kept up the blockade of Lebanese seaports and allowed only two airlines to use Beirut's international airport, on condition flights stopped over in Jordan.But Israel kept up the blockade of Lebanese seaports and allowed only two airlines to use Beirut's international airport, on condition flights stopped over in Jordan.
Israel said international troops needed to be in place to prevent Hezbollah smuggling weapons into Lebanon.Israel said international troops needed to be in place to prevent Hezbollah smuggling weapons into Lebanon.
Israel had cautioned a full lifting of the embargo would not happen "when the bell rings" at 1500GMT.Israel had cautioned a full lifting of the embargo would not happen "when the bell rings" at 1500GMT.
Miri Eisen, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, 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."Miri Eisen, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, 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."
Italian and French ships are expected to patrol the coast until a German-led force takes over.Italian and French ships are expected to patrol the coast until a German-led force takes over.
Ms Eisen said the lifting was "a gradual process" that "could take hours or a day [to complete]".Ms Eisen said the lifting was "a gradual process" that "could take hours or a day [to complete]".
A Middle East Airways flight from Paris landed at Beirut shortly after 1500GMT.A Middle East Airways flight from Paris landed at Beirut shortly after 1500GMT.
"This is the first sign that the Lebanese are recovering their freedom," said Lebanese Transport Minister Mohammed Safadi."This is the first sign that the Lebanese are recovering their freedom," said Lebanese Transport Minister Mohammed Safadi.
Lost leverageLost leverage
Lebanon estimates the country has been losing $30m-50m a day in trade because of the blockade - money desperately needed to help the rebuilding.Lebanon estimates the country has been losing $30m-50m a day in trade because of the blockade - money desperately needed to help the rebuilding.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he hopes the move will "allow a permanent ceasefire and stabilise the situation between Israel and Lebanon".UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he hopes the move will "allow a permanent ceasefire and stabilise the situation between Israel and Lebanon".
There has been anger about the move in Israel, where Mr Olmert is already under pressure for his handling of the abortive military campaign to release the soldiers.There has been anger about the move in Israel, where Mr Olmert is already under pressure for his handling of the abortive military campaign to release the soldiers.
Cabinet and Kadima party colleague Shaul Mofaz said the blockade should have been maintained until Lebanon gave information on the fate of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.Cabinet and Kadima party colleague Shaul Mofaz said the blockade should have been maintained until Lebanon gave information on the fate of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
Relatives of the two men are due to meet Mr Olmert later on Thursday to express their concerns.Relatives of the two men are due to meet Mr Olmert later on Thursday to express their concerns.
"As far as we know the two kidnapped soldiers are currently in Lebanon," Eldad Regev's brother Benny told Israeli radio. "Tomorrow, with the blockade lifted, they can find themselves in Tehran.""As far as we know the two kidnapped soldiers are currently in Lebanon," Eldad Regev's brother Benny told Israeli radio. "Tomorrow, with the blockade lifted, they can find themselves in Tehran."
International pressureInternational pressure
In Beirut, newspaper headlines celebrated ahead of the lifting of the blockade. "Lebanon opens up to the world again," said one.In Beirut, newspaper headlines celebrated ahead of the lifting of the blockade. "Lebanon opens up to the world again," said one.
Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said Israel had caved in as a result of Lebanon's refusal to compromise, coupled with international pressure on the Jewish state.Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said Israel had caved in as a result of Lebanon's refusal to compromise, coupled with international pressure on the Jewish state.
Lifting the blockade means rebuilding Lebanon can accelerateLifting the blockade means rebuilding Lebanon can accelerate
UN officials have said German boats will lead a contingent of naval vessels from other countries - including France, Italy, Greece and the UK - in policing Lebanon's coastline.UN officials have said German boats will lead a contingent of naval vessels from other countries - including France, Italy, Greece and the UK - in policing Lebanon's coastline.
Correspondents say supervising Lebanon's airspace and coastline is the first major test for the UN force charged with keeping the peace and preventing arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah.Correspondents say supervising Lebanon's airspace and coastline is the first major test for the UN force charged with keeping the peace and preventing arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah.
Israel is also pulling its troops out of southern Lebanon as international peacekeepers arrive.Israel is also pulling its troops out of southern Lebanon as international peacekeepers arrive.
About 3,250 international troops are now in Lebanon under the UN banner, and UN officials say that figure could reach 5,000 troops next week.About 3,250 international troops are now in Lebanon under the UN banner, and UN officials say that figure could reach 5,000 troops next week.
UN Resolution 1701 calls for a force of up to 15,000 peacekeepers to help police the border with Israel along with a similar sized Lebanese force.UN Resolution 1701 calls for a force of up to 15,000 peacekeepers to help police the border with Israel along with a similar sized Lebanese force.
More than 1,100 Lebanese and about 160 Israelis died in the conflict, sparked by the capture of the two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid.More than 1,100 Lebanese and about 160 Israelis died in the conflict, sparked by the capture of the two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid.