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The Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan (1st L) meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (2nd R) at the Prime Minister residence in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 28, 2006. Annan arrived in Beirut on Monday to begin his visit in Lebanon aimed at bolstering the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and discussing with Lebanese leaders on the deployment of UN troops in southern Lebanon.  (Xinhua Photo)

Visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan here Monday urged Hezbollah to deliver captured Israeli soldiers to the Lebanese government under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"I renewed my call to asked the two captured Israeli soldiers be freed and transferred under the auspices of ICRC to the Lebanese government," Annan said in a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

On the other hand, Annan urged Israel to lift the blockade on Lebanon as soon as possible. "I will also discuss this question with Israel when I visit it later."

He also expressed his satisfaction over all the actions taken by the Lebanese government so far, saying "Israeli troops has withdrawn and Lebanese army has controlled the south Lebanon."

As for the deployment of the enforcement UN forces, the world body's chief said that "I'm very pleased that the UN forces begin to deploy as France has sent troops to south Lebanon."

He also underlined the importance of establishment of a free zone in the border area, urging the parties concerned to respect the Blue Line.

When answering a question from Xinhua, Annan asked the international community not to blame the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) unfairly, saying that "we have lost pretty hundred people in the past. Our mandate is not to fight or separate anyone but to ensure a durable peace in this area."

Annan voiced his hope that a Lebanon with "long-last peace, prosperity" would occur.

Lebanese Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers on July 12sparked a 34-day conflict between the guerrilla group and Israel. Annan, who arrived in Beirut shortly after Monday noon, met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Defense Minister Elias Murr and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanon is the first leg of Annan's Mideast regional tour, which would also take him to Israel, Palestinian territories, Syria or Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

The Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan (2nd L) and Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh (1st L) walk past the honour guard at the Prime Minister residence in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 28, 2006.  (Xinhua Photo)

Editor: Yan