The UN secretary-general has urged both sides to respect the ceasefire, which he believes can only be upheld by full implementation of resolution 1701.

Middle East tour

Annan is due to leave for Israel on Tuesday before heading to Syria and Iran, which are believed to be the main backers of the Lebanese Shia Muslim resistance movement Hezbollah.
    

On Monday, Annan met Fuad Siniora, the Lebanese prime minister, and the ministers of defence and interior, along with Major-General Alain Pellegrini, the UNIFIL commander, to discuss steps the government has taken to tighten border security and what equipment and technical help it might need.

Keeping the peace

At his news conference in Beirut, Annan urged Hezbollah to release the two Israeli soldiers whose capture in a cross-border raid on July 12 sparked the conflict.

Hezbollah wants to swap the two soldiers for Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails through indirect negotiations.

Israel is also trying to secure the release of a third soldier captured by Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip.