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Annan's 3 steps to end blockade
06/09/2006 14:44 - (SA)
New York - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlined a three-step process he hopes will end with the lifting of Israel's blockade of Lebanon within 48 hours, in an interview with The New York Times published on Wednesday.
The first step, Annan told the newspaper on his flight from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, was France's agreement in principle on Tuesday to a Lebanese request to take part in monitoring the Lebanese coastline.
President Jacques Chirac's office confirmed the agreement, which it said was reached after Annan passed on Lebanon's request in a telephone conversation with Chirac late on Monday.
German deployment
The second step in the plan, Annan said, was having Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora write him a letter formally authorising the Germans to take up their positions off Lebanon.
In this regard, the UN chief said there was disagreement over timing between Siniora, who wants the blockade lifted before he authorises the German deployment, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who wants the Germans officially committed before he lifts the blockade.
Annan said he hoped the temporary presence of French, Italian and Greek ships would convince Israel that no weapons would be smuggled to the Hezbollah militia if the blockade is lifted.
Israeli announcement
The third and final step in the plan, said Annan - who is not quoted directly by the newspaper -- was an Israeli announcement that it will lift the blockade.
Annan's hope was that the three-step process could be completed within 48 hours.
The blockade of Lebanon forms part of UN resolution 1701 which on August 14 brought to an end a month of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
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