Major blast off Lebanese coast: 'Israeli overflights in area'
Local media say sea mine went off near city of Sidon; explosion accompanied by 'unprecedented' IAF overflights, according to reports. IDF: No unusual activity
Lebanese media outlets reported Wednesday of a major explosion off the coast of Sidon. They said the blast was accompanied by overflights conducted by the Israeli air force in the area and the launching of illuminating bombs.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned the alleged infiltration of Israeli aircraft into his country's territory, saying it "stirred panic among the residents of Sidon and south Lebanon."
Hariri called on the UN to act against "attacks on Lebanon's sovereignty."
The IDF said that despite the reports from Lebanon, its forces were not conducting any unusual activity in the area.
One of the reports described the scope of the overflights as "unprecedented."
The explosion occurred at 6:28 pm. According to Lebanese media, the explosion was the result of the detonation of a sea mine. The force of the explosion sparked rumors of an earthquake in the area.
A Kuwaiti news agency said the Israeli aircraft were flying at a low altitude near Sidon and the Zaharani River in south Lebanon.
It was further reported that Israeli choppers were spotted off Sidon's shoreline.
Earlier, a senior Lebanese army officer said military experts have discovered two spy cameras planted by Israel in Lebanon's mountains.
The officer claimed the long range spying systems were placed in Sanin mountain and the Barouk mountains, which overlook the capital of Beirut.
In response to the discovery of spy cameras, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech that Israel "is not satisfied with spies and aerial photography."
Hanan Greenberg, AP contributed to the report
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