Related report: Annan expects Israel to lift blockade within 48 hours     

    JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israel government announced on Wednesday that it will lift naval and aerial blockade on Lebanon on Thursday at 6 p.m.(1500 GMT).

Israeli soldiers react after a cease fire after leaving Lebanese territory near the town of Manara Aug. 14, 2006. (Xinhua File Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that international forces will take control of Lebanese seaports and airports as soon as Israel is to lift its blockade tomorrow evening.

    The international forces by then will be deployed in Lebanesesea posts and airports, said the statement which approved by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

    "Thus it was agreed that tomorrow at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), Israel will leave the control positions over the ports in conjunction with the entry of the international forces," the statement said.

    Earlier, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said that his country would break Israel's blockade by force if it is not lifted in a 48-hour time frame indicated by Annan.

    "We will wait out the time frame (given) by Kofi Annan, 48 hours, and if the situation is solved, we will thank him. If not, the Lebanese government will take the necessary steps and break the blockade," Salloukh said.

    In order to prevent the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah from rearming, Israel imposed the air, land and sea blockade shortly after the 34-day war against Hezbollah erupted on July 12. Enditem