The Israeli army will complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by September 22, the Jewish New Year, public television reported.
The decision is in conformity with UN Resolution 1701. Israel said it lifted its nearly two-month-long air blockade of Lebanon yesterday but kept its naval blockade in place until international forces can take over. The lifting of the aerial blockade will be the first test for a UN peacekeeping force charged with keeping arms shipments from reaching Hezbollah. About 3,250 UN troops are in Lebanon, out of a planned force of 15,000. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that the force should reach 5,000 by mid-September.