Olmert stands firm on Lebanon blockade

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today told a visiting UN envoy that Israel will only lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon once an international peacekeeping force is deployed along Lebanon’s borders.

“Olmert said deploying the force at border crossings to Syria and at the airport will allow the lifting of Israel’s sea and air blockade and contribute to the implementation” of the UN-brokered ceasefire agreement, said a statement issued by Olmert’s office.