Israel has announced an end to its nearly two-month old air and sea blockade of Lebanon. The move comes after weeks of protest the blockade has hampered Lebanon’s recovery and further crippled its economy. Israel says it will lift the blockade today, but warns its troops will remain inside south Lebanon until the deployment of a larger international force.

• Israeli spokesperson Miri Eisin: “Israel has no interest to sit inside southern Lebanon. We would very much like to see all Israeli troops back inside Israel on the international recognised border. As soon as there are enough troops, the number that was talked about last week between the Secretary General (Kofi Annan) and the Prime Minister (Ehud Olmert) is 5,000 troops. As soon as there are enough international troops on the ground the Israeli troops will be out of south Lebanon.”