All flights arriving in the US are to be subject to new security screening procedures, with American citizens as well as foreigners possibly facing interviews by airline employees.

Workers at Lebanon’s only airport today prepared to receive a full flow of commercial flights as Israel pledged to lift an air and sea blockade imposed nearly two months ago when the war with Hezbollah guerrillas erupted.

An oil pipeline near the northern city of Kirkuk was on fire today and local officials said the blaze may have been caused by sabotage. In Mosul, US troops opened fire after an explosion near a military convoy, witnesses said.

Gunmen killed two American soldiers today while they were driving through the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and a crowd swarmed over the scene, looting the vehicle and pummelling the bodies, witnesses said.