Annan says hopes to soon double U.N. troops in Lebanon

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday said he hoped to soon double to 5,000 the number of U.N. troops in southern Lebanon and urged Israel and Hizbollah to swiftly end rows blocking a permanent ceasefire.

Annan said he would ask Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in talks on Wednesday to lift Israel's air and sea blockade of Lebanon, imposed at the start of the war nearly seven weeks ago.

Speaking after meeting Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz following a visit to Lebanon, Annan said Israel had committed most violations of a two-week-old truce that ended the war.

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