UN Secretary General Koffi Annan is in Lebanon to tour devastated areas and shore up support for a larger peacekeeping force. Annan was in the town of Naquoura earlier today where he attended a ceremony honoring the five UN workers killed during Israel’s thirty-four day invasion. In Beirut Monday, Annan called on Israel to end its blockade of Lebanon and said Hezbollah should release two captured Israeli soldiers.

• UN Secretary General Koffi Annan: “In Lebanon there should be, as we have all agreed, one law, one authority one gun. I am urging my Israeli interlocutors to lift immediately the blockade on Lebanon. And I am working with them and other international partners to see that this is done. I also renew my call for the abducted soldiers to be freed and as a first step to be transferred under the auspices of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) either to the government of Lebanon or to a third party. And we the UN, will be prepared to play a role should we be required to do so. And I offer our services.”