The New York Times
Israel Will Ease Grip on Lebanon

By STEVEN ERLANGERPublished: September 7, 2006

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 - Israel announced Wednesday that it would lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon on Thursday evening, three weeks after the cessation of hostilities, because international forces were ready to move into place to impose an arms embargo on the Hezbollah militia.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would yield its "control positions over Lebanon's seaports and airports" at 6 p.m. Thursday to international supervision.

French, Greek, British and Italian ships will patrol Lebanon’s coast until German ships arrive in two weeks. The Germans will also help patrol Lebanon’s airport to prevent the resupply of rockets, launchers and heavy arms to Hezbollah from its main supporters, Syria and Iran.