The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beirut

An Israeli warship briefly entered Lebanese waters on Monday but was intercepted by an Italian ship operating as part of the UN peacekeeping force, the army said on Tuesday. "An Israeli Saar warship entered Lebanese territorial waters at 7:30 am (0530 GMT) yesterday morning before being intercepted by the Italian navy's Bettica, which is part of UNIFIL," an army spokesman told AFP. The Israeli vessel travelled three miles (about five kilometres) before leaving , according to an army statement. Israeli jets regularly violate Lebanese airspace, but it is rare for warships to enter Lebanese territorial waters. Yasmina Bouziane, spokeswoman for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and said an investigation was underway.