Annan hopes for news on Lebanon blockade in 48 hours

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Sep 5 (Reuters) U N Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today he was hoping for ''positive'' news in the next 48 hours on whether Israel would lift an air and sea blockade on Lebanon.

''I don't want to raise any false hopes, but I hope that in the next 48 hours we will have some news on that, constructive positive news,'' he told reporters after holding talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the port city of Alexandria.

Annan had announced yesterday he would appoint a secret envoy to work for the release of the two Israeli soldiers whose capture by Hizbollah guerrillas triggered a month-long war.

Israeli officials said Annan's role was to secure the release of the soldiers, not to mediate. Hizbollah gave a cautious response, backing only indirect negotiations to secure an exchange of prisoners from both sides.

Reuters MS RN1520