U.N., Lebanon discuss southern border

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Lebanon and Israel should move to establish a more durable cease-fire agreement relating to activity in the south of the country, U.N. officials said.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a bruising 34-day war in 2006. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which helped broker a cease-fire agreement, called on Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty while demanding Hezbollah disarm.

Michael Williams, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, said during talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh that the United Nations was pleased by the relative calm in southern Lebanon.

"However, the minister and I agreed that more needs to be done to move towards a longer-term cease-fire, which would help confirm this calm and stability that now prevails along the Blue Line" that separates the combatants, he said.

Border relations between Israel and Lebanon intensified during the summer. Beirut filed several official complaints with the United Nations for Israeli violations of Lebanese air space, while Israel pointed to increased Hezbollah activity along the border.

Both the U.N. and Lebanese leaders addressed the "critical issues" of Israeli obligations and the "intrusive" flights.