AL QUDS, Sept 7: Israel lifted its blockade of Lebanon’s international airport on Thursday but said it was keeping a naval blockade in place until an international force deployed off the coast.

“The aerial blockade has been removed. In coordination with the United Nations, the naval blockade will continue until the international naval force is in place,” said Miri Eisen, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

An Israeli official said Israel was willing to transfer supervision of Lebanon’s coast to the United Nations but “the United Nations was not ready to receive” because of differences over who would be in charge of the operation.

“When they are ready, we will transfer,” the official said.

The Beirut government has asked the United Nations to help patrol its territorial waters. Italian and French naval vessels were expected to begin monitoring the coast now until a German-led naval contingent can take over.—Agencies