Report: Israeli warplanes fly over Lebanon

Israeli jest crisscross skies above Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, near Hizbullah's stronghold in Baalbek. Lebanese officials report of anti-aircraft fire against warplanes, but say no weapons fired by drones, jet fighters. IDF denies reports. Lebanon PM calls UN secretary-general to protest sorties
News Agencies

Israeli drones and warplanes were crisscrossing the skies above Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on Friday night, near the Hizbullah stronghold of Baalbek, security officials said.

 


The reporter said military jets, helicopters and drones had circled over the area and had come under anti-aircraft fire but had not been hit and had not opened fire themselves.

 

The officials had not reported any bomb or missile strikes although the Voice of Lebanon radio said the aircraft had opened fire.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora phoned UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to protest "the continued violation of our Lebanese airspace by Israeli aircraft."

The IDF said it had not attacked Lebanon since the ceasefire went into force. The IDF Spokesperson Unit reported that some Israeli ground forces are still inside Lebanon, but that this did not constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

After the ceasefire came into effect, senior officers said that the air force will continue to carry out sorties in order to ensure the safety of the forces on the ground, but that no strikes will be launched.  
 
The army also stated that IAF warplanes did not sustain any hits in the course of these sorties.

However, no comments were made on Friday's report.

Israeli war planes frequently fly over Lebanese airspace and during the 34-day war with Hizbullah gunmen attacked targets across the country. The Bekaa Valley was heavily hit during the war, which ended with a UN sponsored truce on Monday, although there have been isolated incidents of violence since then.