Top > World > 2006 > August > 2006-08-30

Annan Visits Lebanon

Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, is visiting south Lebanon to see the destruction that was made during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Mr Annan landed at the southern port of Naqoura, home to the UN peacekeeping force, after flying in from Beirut. The UN chief will travel also to Israel, as he continues his regional tour to try to bolster the two-week old truce.

On Monday, Mr Annan was jeered by Hezbollah supporters in south Beirut. He toured the bomb-damaged area after the talks with Lebanon`s political leaders. Mr Annan promised to urge the Israeli government to lift its blockade of Lebanon`s ports and airports, imposed at the start of the conflict. He also called on Hezbollah to free two Israeli soldiers, whose capture on 12 July triggered the fighting.

Mr Annan flew by helicopter from Beirut to Naquora, in an area still occupied by Israeli troops and tanks. From there he will take an airborne tour over some of the areas in southern Lebanon most heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict. Local people are not so eager to return to their homes near the border until the last Israelis have pulled out. Israel has said it will not withdraw until the expanded UN force is deployed alongside the Lebanese army in areas currently occupied by Hezbollah forces.