Time for Israel to lift Lebanon blockade

"We need to deal with the lifting of the embargo -- sea, land and air -- which for the Lebanese is a humiliation, and infringement on their sovereignty," Annan said before ending his visit and flying to Israel.

"And of course the (Lebanese) government needs measures to assure, ensure that the entrances (to) the country -- sea, land and air -- are secure," he said during a ceremony at the UN headquarters in the southern port of Naqura.

"I think the time has come for the siege to be lifted, the Lebanese have shown they are serious about the implementation of (UN Security Council Resolution) 1701 in all the deployments and efforts they have made."

Annan hailed the Lebanese government for having already "taken very serious steps" in deploying thousands of soldiers along the country's borders with Israel and Syria.

"They are also in serious consultation with the German government, to give them expertise and equipment in order to protect their land border, the airports and the sea," he said.

Israel has maintained its blockade on Lebanon despite a ceasefire that took effect on August 14, ending a month-long offensive in the country.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert conditioned the lifting of the blockade on the deployment of international troops at Beirut's airport and along the border with Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned that such a deployment would be viewed as a hostile act and threatened to close the border with Lebanon if it happened.

Annan said the detention of two Israeli soldiers seized by Hezbollah on July 12 had to be resolved "very quickly."

The capture prompted Israel to launch a 34-day onslaught in Lebanon.

Annan also said that during his tour of Beirut's southern suburbs he found that "the destruction was quite shocking actually."

The UN chief was booed by Hezbollah supporters as he viewed the rubble of dozens of flattened buildings in the suburbs.

"But, what happened yesterday was really a little side show put on to impress me," he said, adding: "I think some of the young ones got a bit over zealous, so that, that was fine."

Annan urged Israel and Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire.

"Parties with complaints on the ground should come to (UNIFIL chief) General (Alain) Pellegrini, not take matters into their own hands," he said.