ISRAEL intensified its attacks against Lebanon yesterday, imposing a naval blockade, twice hitting Beirut’s airport and blasting two Lebanese army air bases near Syria.

Hezbollah and its Shiite allies declared themselves victorious in southern Lebanon in today’s second stage of national elections.

Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah today denied it was behind the suicide bombing that killed four people in a Tel Aviv night club.

An Irish army officer was among three UN observers and two armed peacekeepers assaulted by Hezbollah gunmen in southern Lebanon yesterday, UN officials said.