(Itar-Tass) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Al Siniora has demanded that the sea and air blockade be lifted from the country in compliance with Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council. The minister handed his demand to the ambassadors of the five permanent member states of the Security Council, the Al-Wataniya news agency reported. Lebanon is in need of urgent supplies of fuel and food aid, Al Siniora stressed.
Israeli sources pointed out that the blockade will be lifted from the Lebanese coast and airspace only after the Lebanese authorities establish strict border control with the aim of prevention of arms supplies to Hezbollah, reports Trend.
Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr for his part announced the Lebanese armys readiness to occupy positions north of the River Litani as early as on Thursday.
He stressed in an interview to the LBC television programme that 15,000 servicemen will be dispatched to the south in order to protect the countrys sovereignty, and not for disarming Hezbollah militants. The minister noted that the Shiite group has a good experience of interaction with the army command. The decision on the dispatch of troops to the south of Lebanon is expected to be made at the countrys government meeting on Wednesday.
Secretary General of Hezbollah Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah for his part said the demand to his group to surrender arms within a month is "inappropriate and amoral." He denounced the "fuss around this issue" and expressed doubt that the Lebanese army "is currently capable of ensuring Lebanon's defence from Israeli aggression." Moreover, according to Nasrallah, restoration of southern areas and return of refugees there are currently top priority problems.