Lebanese PM Wants Arab Nations to Break Israeli Blockade

Sat, Sep 2, 2006 at 5:36:50 pm PDT

The prime minister of Lebanon is calling on Arab nations to break Israel’s blockade (good luck with that), so that food, medical supplies, and arms for Hizballah can be delivered: Lebanese official wants blockade broken.

BEIRUT, Lebanon - 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 rearming 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.