Israel says it will lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon on Thursday.
A statement Wednesday by the Israeli prime minister's office said international forces will take over command at Lebanese sea and airports by Thursday evening. The statement said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan informed Israel that international forces are ready to take over.
Italian, French, British and Greek troops will participate in the mission, and German forces are expected to arrive in about two weeks.
Israel had insisted that Lebanese and international troops be in place before it would lift the blockade. The Jewish state has also said it would not end the blockade until receiving assurances that an arms embargo against Hezbollah is being enforced.
An Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev says supply lines to Hezbollah must be cut off so the guerrilla group cannot re-arm and re-group.
Israel initiated the blockade in July at the outset of its month-long war against Hezbollah.
In other news, two Lebanese soldiers died in southern Lebanon Wednesday as they defused an unexploded device left over from the month-long war.
A statement Wednesday by the Israeli prime minister's office said international forces will take over command at Lebanese sea and airports by Thursday evening. The statement said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan informed Israel that international forces are ready to take over.
Italian, French, British and Greek troops will participate in the mission, and German forces are expected to arrive in about two weeks.
Israel had insisted that Lebanese and international troops be in place before it would lift the blockade. The Jewish state has also said it would not end the blockade until receiving assurances that an arms embargo against Hezbollah is being enforced.
An Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev says supply lines to Hezbollah must be cut off so the guerrilla group cannot re-arm and re-group.
Israel initiated the blockade in July at the outset of its month-long war against Hezbollah.
In other news, two Lebanese soldiers died in southern Lebanon Wednesday as they defused an unexploded device left over from the month-long war.