Annan regrets Shabaa confrontations between Israel, Hizbullah

The UN secretary general Kofi Annan has expressed his regret over the confrontations that took place on Monday on the Lebanese borders between Hizbullah and Israel, calling on the two sides to practice utmost self- control.

Steven De Garik, the spokesman for Annan said in a press conference that the "fighting which started as from the Lebanese side, very soon extended along the Blue Line and Israeli civilian areas were bombarded," noting that the UN peace keeping force in south Lebanon UNIFIL announced a cease- fire to prevent any escalation.

The Blue Line which is drawn by the UN as Lebanon's border with Israel extends from al-Naqoura until Shabaa Farms occupied by Israel. Four members of the Hizbullah party were killed and 11 Israelis were injured in the fighting which erupted on Monday and continued through Tuesday in Israeli air raids against south Lebanon.