Lift blockade, Lebanon urges

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanon's prime minister called Israel's blockade of the country illegal on Saturday and the parliament speaker urged Arab nations to break the siege.

The calls, however, were not expected to make Israel relent in its refusal of European and U.N. requests to end its blockade of Lebanon's air and seaports. But the effort heightens tension that could further upset the already shaky cease-fire.

Israel says the restrictions are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-arming until U.N. troops guard the borders. Lebanon says they hamper the delivery of food and medical supplies and attempts to revive the country's battered economy.

Speaking to a special parliament session, Prime Minister Fuad Saniora condemned the "unjust, illegal blockade" and said his government is sparing no effort to lift the siege.

The Western-backed Saniora rejected the contention that the blockade was being carried out under paragraph 14 of the U.N. Security Council cease-fire resolution, which calls on the Lebanese government to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the influx of weapons.

"Who assigned Israel to be guardian of the implementation of the resolution?" Saniora asked.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the parliament plans to send a letter to Arab governments to "ask and insist that all Arab planes and ships break the blockade without seeking any permission from Israel."

Berri, a Hezbollah ally who wields significant influence in the government, described the blockade as "a military aggression that is an attack on national sovereignty and a clear violation of resolution 1701" which ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Berri announced a series of protest measures. Envoys were to encourage Arab states that have diplomatic ties with Israel to reduce them and will ask others to put economic dealings with Israel on hold. Arab nations also would be asked to seek U.N. Security Council action.

"We are not asking for the severing of diplomatic ties, but at least the withdrawal of envoys, and an end or freezing of economic ties with Israel as long as there is a blockade of Lebanon," said Berri.

Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania have full diplomatic ties with Israel. Several others are believed to quietly conduct business with the Jewish state.