Egypt protests Lebanon blockade

Israel's ambassador in Egypt, Shalom Cohen, was invited Tuesday to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in order to discuss the blockade placed by Israel on Lebanon during the last month and a half.

During the meeting, attended by Egyptian deputy minister for Arab world affairs, Hani Khalaf, Egypt sought to express its opposition to "the continuance of the Israeli blockade, naval and aerial."

In Israel, the comments were taken seriously, but the conversation was not seen as unusual.

"This is part of our work," Cohen told Ynet. "The conversation was scheduled because the Egyptians were asked by the Lebanese to send us this message. We spoke in a friendly atmosphere, as there relations of good dialogue and good diplomatic ties between us," he added.

Messages conveyed

"They sent us their message and we sent our message. The Egyptians claimed that the aerial and naval blockades stood in opposition to UN Resolution 1701 and we claim that the failure to release the kidnapped soldiers also stood in contradiction to the Security Council resolution. I added that we hoped the Egyptians would help us release the kidnapped soldiers," he said. 

Sources in Jerusalem added that other topics were also discussed, including the demand that before the blockade the lifted, the arms embargo as decided by Resolution 1701 be upheld.

"Israel is not interested in remaining in Lebanon, but a way has to be found to ensure that planes with arms from Iran and Syria do not land in Lebanon. This is a principle that must be applied together with all of the clauses of the resolution," a source said. "Israel was not interested in continuing this situation and is interested in someone taking responsibility for this."

The same source added that similar messages will be heard from the various foreign ministers expected to arrive in Jerusalem in the coming period.

"These requests need to be taken seriously, especially that of Egypt," the source said.