Annan: Israeli raid violated cease-fire

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Saturday called an Israeli raid in Lebanon Saturday a violation of the U.N.-sanctioned cease-fire.

Lebanon's prime minister said earlier in the day that the raid by Israeli aircraft and commandos violated the cease-fire.

"The landing carried out by the Israeli occupation forces today in the Bekaa was a flagrant violation of the cessation of hostilities announced by the Security Council," Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said in a statement.

He added he had complained to a United Nations delegation that visited him Saturday and would take up the matter with Annan as well, CNN reported.

Annan's comment was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Israeli army said the raid, some 60 miles north of the border, was aimed at disrupting the continuing shipment of weapons to Hezbollah guerrillas from Iran and Syria.

Three Hezbollah fighters and one Israeli officer were killed in the fighting. Two other Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Hezbollah said its fighters repulsed the commandos, who were airlifted in together with two jeeps near the village of Bodai, some 60 miles north of the border.