On Thursday, Israel lifted its two-month-old aerial siege of Lebanon, but kept its naval blockade in place because the international force is not yet in a position to enforce the arms embargo on Hizbullah.

Officials in the Prime Minister's Office said that Olmert had made it clear since the cease-fire went into effect that Israel would lift the aerial and sea blockade of Lebanon once the international force was in place to implement the embargo.

Likewise, the official said, Israel has said it would withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon when an international force of 5,000 troops was deployed there. The official said that this was expected "within a few days to a week." Europe, the UN and the US have pressured Israel to lift the blockade ever since the cease-fire went into effect on August 14. Olmert spoke to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Tuesday evening before deciding to lift the blockade.