UN envoy raps Israeli flights over Lebanon

BEIRUT, Oct 31 (Reuters) The UN envoy to Lebanon expressed serious concerns at Israeli flights over Beirut today and urged the Jewish state to cease its violations of Lebanese airspace.

''The personal representative of the secretary-general, Mr Geir Pederson, expresses his serious concern at the continuing overflights by Israel,'' a United Nations statement said.

Israeli warplanes flew at a low altitude over Beirut, its suburbs and large areas of south Lebanon, witnesses and security sources said.

The Lebanese army said its anti-aircraft guns fired at the planes flying over southern Lebanon.

Pederson said the overflights violated Lebanon's sovereignty and Security Council Resolution 1701 that ended a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in August.

''He is particularly disturbed by the intensive mock air raids that took place over Beirut this morning,'' the statement said.

''The UN renews its call on Israel to cease its violations of Lebanese sovereignty and calls on all parties to respect and implement resolution 1701.'' Israel says its combat planes will continue to fly over Lebanon to ensure that weapons are not smuggled into southern Lebanon from Syria to resupply Hezbollah.

Security sources said eight planes entered Lebanese airspace from the south and flew north to Beirut and its southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Israeli air raids during the war destroyed large districts of the southern suburbs and several towns and villages in south Lebanon.

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