Lebanon sea embargo lifted

September 08, 2006

According to Israeli officials, the 24-hour delay in lifting the sea blockade of Lebanon was due to U.N. wrangling over who would lead the naval component of the UN peacekeeping mission. In the meantime, an interim maritime task force will help the Lebanese navy patrol coastal waters until a UNIFIL naval force takes over. Israel has been under intense pressure to end its air and sea embargo of Lebanon following the partial deployment of an international force to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah. On Thursday, after almost eight-weeks, Lebanon's airspace was reopened to international flights.