Israeli planes bomb Beirut airport

Air raids have also targeted the south, killing dozens of civilians

Beirut (AsiaNews) – Israeli aeroplanes this morning bombed the international airport of Beirut in a wave of raids in retaliation for the killing of eight Israeli soldiers and the kidnapping of another two by Hezbollah militias on the border between Lebanon and Israel. The bombs left four craters on the runways, forcing the airport to close and to divert flights to Larnaca (Cyprus).

Before attacking the airport, Israeli planes conducted a series of raids against Hezbollah bases, bridges and roads in south Lebanon. According to figures supplied by the Lebanese police, this morning's attacks in the south killed 27 civilians, including 10 children. Hezbollah launched missiles in northern Israel.

An Israeli army spokesman justified the attack on the airport, saying it has been used to transport arms and provisions to Hezbollah.

The airport of Beirut has not come under attack for around 10 years. It became a symbol of Lebanon's renewal after the civil war, and was dedicated to Rafic Hariri, the prime minister who was killed in February 2005.

Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the capture and killing of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah as an "act of war" and held Lebanon responsible. But the Lebanese Premier, Fouad Siniora, has denied all responsibility and knowledge of the Hezbollah operations.

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