UN Special envoy Terje Larsen said yesterday that the United Nations is calling on Israel to lift the blockade it has imposed on Lebanon after the Lebanese army has deployed in all border crossings, seaports, and airports.
Larsen clarified that the UN is calling for the immediate release of the kidnapped soldiers and to their transfer at first to the hands of the Lebanese government. He also said that he regrettably has no new information on their current wellbeing. Larsen said that the Lebanese government is interested in reaching a quick settlement regarding the kidnapped soldiers, but there are other players that are difficult getting to.
Larsen said that he was convinced that the Lebanese government is taking genuine steps to prevent Hizballah from smuggling weapons into the country.
Larsen estimated that the multinational force will arrive in the area within a few weeks and will deploy along the border with Israel.