Beirut asserts authority to avert new Israeli attack
Israel has warned it was preparing for the "next round" against Hezbollah, as the United Nations struggles to persuade states wary of sending troops to boost the weak UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
After the UN warned that the ceasefire, which ended 34 days of hostilities was still fragile, Lebanese officials sought to demonstrate that the country was fulfilling its terms.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Lebanese troops pursued their historic deployment to the border with Israel and Defence Minister Elias Murr vowed to punish any breach of the truce from Lebanese territory, insisting that Hezbollah was committed to the ceasefire.
The An-Nahar newspaper said Lebanese officials had told visiting UN envoys Sunday that the country was determined to "prove its capability to maintain order at air, sea and land borders."
On Saturday, the Lebanese army reinforced deployment and security measures at border crossing posts.
"It seems the Lebanese pledges have 'armed' UN envoys with important guarantees and convincing arguments that will help them negotiate with Israel to stop violations of UN Security Council Resolution" 1701, An-Nahar said.
UN chief Kofi Annan slammed an Israeli raid deep into Lebanon on Saturday as a violation of Resolution 1701 which established the ceasefire conditions.
Israel said the raid was staged to thwart alleged cross-border arms smuggling to Hezbollah from neighbouring Syria.
The Lebanese pledges would also underpin efforts to convince countries hesitant over participating in the UN force, An-Nahar said.
The United Nations has been urging countries, particularly in Europe, to send troops, but most have insisted on obtaining precise details on the force's mandate before signing on.
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