Special report: Israel, Lebanon agree on ceasefire

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces would maintain their air and sea blockade on Lebanon despite a UN ceasefire deal went into effect at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Monday morning, Israeli Army Radio reported on Monday.

    The radio, quoting Israel Defense Forces officials, said the blockade would continue until "Beirut formulates an effective mechanism, which will block transfer of weaponry to south Lebanon."

    Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in Haifa, Safed and other hard-hit communities in the north as the truce deadline neared early Monday, but there were no reports of rockets.

    The UN Security Council Resolution 1701, calling for ending hostilities in Lebanon, has been approved by both Israel and Lebanon. Enditem