Israel today lifted an air blockade of Lebanon imposed when it went to war with Hizbollah guerrillas eight weeks ago and a Lebanese airliner landed at Beirut's patched-up airport to mark the moment.
But Israel said a naval blockade would continue until an international force was deployed off the coast. The Middle East Airlines flight from Paris circled over Beirut to celebrate the end of the air embargo after intense diplomacy led by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier emerged onto a balcony of a government building and waved at the low-flying plane.
A pilot flourished Lebanon's cedar flag from a cockpit window as the plane carrying 150 passengers taxied to a halt. "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 Eisin, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Mr Siniora said he expected Israel to remove the sea blockade on Friday. "There was a problem at the United Nations that is being resolved," he told a news conference. "I think that in the morning, God willing, this thing will be lifted."
An Israeli official said the delay was because the United Nations was not ready to take over the task of coastal monitoring due to differences over who would be in charge.
"When they are ready, we will transfer," the official said. Italian and French naval vessels had been expected to begin patrolling the coast until a German-led naval contingent can take over in line with a Lebanese request to the United Nations.
"Germany will provide the assistance that it can present and we ... will take important measures very soon after the UN requests us formally," Steinmeier told reporters