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Israeli Naval Blockade of Lebanon Continues

Israel has announced that the Jewish state`s naval forces will maintain a sea blockade of Lebanon until a multinational force under the auspices of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 completes its full deployment in the south. A high-ranking officer told local media that the blockade could continue for at least a few more months, depending on how long it takes for international troops to arrive. Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz believes the blockade will help prevent the transfer of arms to Hizballah.

Peretz has also said that Israel would continue to do what is necessary to ensure that Hizballah would not receive any weapons from its suppliers and allies in Syria and Iran. "We plan to insist that issues such as the transfer of weapons from Syria to Lebanon be under supervision and that such transfers are thwarted," Peretz said before meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Germany pledged earlier this week to send a naval contingent to patrol the Lebanese coast to prevent arms smuggling.

"We will ensure that Hizballah will not be in a position to control southern Lebanon," Peretz added. The tough statements came after Israel launched a military raid on Saturday morning against a Hizballah stronghold near Baalbek, in the Bekaa Valley, which was widely condemned by the United Nations but which the U.S. refrained from criticizing. Israel said the operation was meant to curtail a weapons shipment, and permitted under 1701.