WORLD / Middle East

Israeli warplanes pound Lebanon
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-28 19:29

Jerusalem - Israeli warplanes fired missiles at dozens of targets across southern Lebanon overnight Friday, including buildings that were reduced to rubble and a Hezbollah base where long-range rockets were stored, the military said.

Meanwhile in Malaysia, US Secretary of State condoleezza Rice said she will return to the Middle East to meet with Israeli officials to try to bring an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has entered its third week. Rice didn't say when she would return, but she had been expected to return to the region this weekend.

Smoke billows on the outskirts of the village of Qlaia, next to the town of Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 27, 2006, after an Israeli attack. Israeli warplanes renewed attacks on suspected Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding four others, Lebanese security officials said.
Smoke billows on the outskirts of the village of Qlaia, next to the town of Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 27, 2006, after an Israeli attack. Israeli warplanes renewed attacks on suspected Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding four others, Lebanese security officials said. [AP]

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also en route to Washington where his spokesman said he would seek a UN resolution to resolve the conflict during talks with US President Bush. The spokesman, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said Britain hoped a UN resolution could be in place by next week.

Israeli defense forces said aircraft hit a total of 130 targets in Lebanon on Thursday and early Friday, including a Hezbollah base in the Bekaa Valley, where long-range rockets were stored, and 57 Hezbollah structures, six missile launching sites and six communication facilities.

Israeli jets fired missiles at a three-story building near the southern Lebanon market town of Nabatiyeh, destroying the building and killing a Jordanian man who was hit by shrapnel in a nearby home, Lebanese security officials.

The building housed a construction company believed to be owned by a Hezbollah activist, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk with the media. The strike also wounded four children nearby, they said.


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