This afternoon, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with emissaries of the UN Secretary General, who updated him regarding their meetings in Lebanon, and the progress in the implementation of UN Resolution 1701.

The Prime Minister said that the matter of freeing the kidnapped soldiers as soon as possible and without conditions, in accordance with the UN Resolution, was of the utmost importance to Israel.

In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of forming the international force soon so that it can deploy in Southern Lebanon, thereby allowing IDF troops to leave Lebanon.

According to the Prime Minister, positioning the force at border crossings with Syria will allow for the removal of the naval and aerial blockade, and will contribute to the implementation of Resolution 1701.

The UN emissaries informed the Prime Minister that the UN Secretary General would arrive next week to visit Israel and Lebanon.