BEIRUT, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese information minister Ghazi Aridi said on Tuesday his government expected UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to secure lifting Israeli blockage over Lebanon.

    "Annan's statements indicated that the Israeli blockade on Lebanese ports was soon to be over," Aridi told local press.

    "Annan and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had all the information about this matter, but lifting the blockade might be declared at the end of Annan's visit to the region," he added.

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said earlier Tuesday that it was time for Israel to lift its blockage which he described as a "humiliation" for Lebanon.

    Annan had left for Israel after inspecting UN troops in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, 4 km north of the Israeli border, concluding a two-day visit to Lebanon. Enditem