Israeli warplanes fly low over Lebanese territory

Israeli warplanes flew low over Beirut, its southern suburbs and other areas in south Lebanon on Tuesday, witnesses and Lebanese security sources said.

The security sources said that eight Israeli planes entered Lebanese airspace from south to north over Beirut and its southern suburbs, where Lebanon's Hezbollah Shiite group strongholds are located.

The Israeli mock raids, which lasted more than 30 minutes, was the heaviest aerial incursion of Lebanon since the end of 34-day Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The planes did not open fire or drop bombs, but their roar caused concern among residents, some of whom took to the rooftops and balconies to watch, according to the witnesses.

Israel has continued to carry out flights over Lebanese territory despite a UN-brokered ceasefire on Aug. 14.

Earlier this month, a senior United Nations official said the Israeli overflights "really hurt" the multinational peace force's mission in the country and that "they should not happen."

However, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has vowed the flights would continue to ensure that weapons are not smuggled into southern Lebanon from Syria to resupply Hezbollah guerrillas.

Source: Xinhua