The Lebanese army has said Israeli warplanes have violated their airspace by flying missions over Beirut and elsewhere in the country.

Thousands of opposition protesters blocked roads with burning tyres, debris and blazing cars around the Lebanese capital of Beirut and outlying regions of Lebanon today in a bid to enforce a general strike aimed at toppling Prime Minister Fuad Saniora’s government.

Thousands of Lebanese are unable to return to their homes two weeks after the cease-fire took hold because they feel too insecure or the houses are destroyed, the UN refugee agency said today.