Israel violates Lebanese air space despite existing regional tension - UN envoy

Israeli jets, flying over areas of southern Lebanon, violated the Blue Line marking Israeli withdrawal from the area seven times today, but did not meet anti-aircraft fire from Lebanese territory, a senior United Nations envoy said.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Representative for Southern Lebanon, Staffan de Mistura, expressed his "concern over these violations of the Blue Line and Lebanese air space by Israeli aircraft."

"These air violations come amid an already tense situation in Southern Lebanon and the region in general," his statement said. "He reiterates his call on Israel to cease these violations and for all parties to exercise restraint and respect fully the Blue Line, in order to avoid a further deterioration of the situation on the ground."