Israel Accused of Breach

Lebanon’s Prime Minister accused Israel of violating a UN-brokered ceasefire by sending commandos deep inside Lebanon on Saturday

Israeli special forces landed west of the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek, before one of their officers was killed and two other soldiers were wounded in the gunbattle that ensued.

“The landing carried out by the Israeli occupation forces today in the Bekaa was a flagrant violation of the cessation of hostilities announced by the Security Council,” Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said in a statement.

But the Israeli army said its commandos entered Lebanon to "interfere with terror activity against Israel" which it claimed included the smuggling of arms from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah.

Mr Saniora added that he had complained to a UN delegation that visited him Saturday, and would take up the matter with Annan.

He said he spoke with Annan by telephone late Friday, to complain about Israeli warplanes repeatedly entering Lebanese airspace since the ceasefire took effect on Monday.