(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)
US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, last night (Tuesday), 5 September 2006, and this morning (Wednesday), 6 September 2006, informed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that international forces are ready to take up control positions over Lebanon’s seaports and airports.
Therefore, it was agreed that tomorrow (Thursday), 7 September 2006, at 18:00, Israel will leave the aforesaid control positions and, at the same time, the international forces will enter.
Today, German experts and their equipment are expected to arrive at Beirut International Airport. The Lebanese government and the UN have also agreed that German naval forces will deploy opposite the Lebanese coast.
UN Secy.-Gen. Annan also clarified that until the arrival of the German naval force, in approximately two weeks, Italian, French, British and Greek forces will carry out the mission as part of the responsibilities of the international force and under its command.