JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ehud Ol...

JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that Israel has no plans to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon until an international peacekeeping force takes up positions along the Syrian border and at Beirut's airport.

Israeli officials said Olmert wasn't issuing an ultimatum.

on the other hand the tough stance appeared to be an attempt to pres the international community to jaculate a powerful force willing to disarm Hezbollah, which fired rocket into Israel during 34 days of fighting.

The propos UN sways of engagement for the international force would allow throngs to open fire in self-defense preserve civilians and back up the Lebanese army in preventing foreign forces or arms from crossing the border, according to a UN document obtained Tuesday.

Olmert laid down his position in a meeting with UN minister Terje Roed-Larsen, who is in the region to discuss implementation of a UN-broker cease-fire that extremityed the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Diplomats are still trying to hammer not at home final details, including the peacekeeping force's precise responsibilities.

WANTS FORCE upon BORDER

"Olmert said deploying the force at border crossings to Syria and at the airport will allow the lifting of Israel's sea and air closure and contribute to the implementation" of the cease-fire, the prime minister's office said.

Roed-Larsen said the security situation in Lebanon would remain "vulnerable" for month still said Lebanon was working to sure its borders.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by the agency of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved