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Israel lifts naval blockade

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Bowing to international pressure, Israel has lifted its eight-week naval blockade of Lebanon.

A combination of French, Italian and Greek naval ships began patrolling Lebanon's Mediterranean coast on Friday afternoon. These forces have been deployed under the United Nations flag, in conformity with the Security Council Resolution 1701.

According to French military officials, 12 warships would begin patrolling an area 10 km off the Lebanese coast. Lebanese naval ships would operate closer to the shore.

The Israeli action followed mounting international pressure for cementing the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. Besides, calls for reviving the peace process in West Asia have intensified in the wake of surging violence in the region. The present arrangement of enforcing naval surveillance is expected to continue for around eight weeks, till a German force deploys fully and steers this effort.

Even before the formal announcement, a Lebanese cargo ship docked.

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