Beirut, August 14
A UN-brokered ceasefire to end the month-old conflict in Lebanon came into force today but intense fighting continued right up to the deadline for the guns to fall silent.

Israel launched an 11th-hour wave of air strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters unleashed a barrage of rockets just hours before the agreed “cessation of hostilities” took effect at 0500 GMT 
(10:30 IST).

Israeli forces shelled areas around Tyre and Khiam in the war-battered south of the country, while combat jets flew over Beirut, dropping warning leaflets, and bombarded the ancient eastern city of Baalbek.

At least 38 Lebanese civilians and four soldiers were killed by Israeli fire Sunday as fighter jets kept up their deadly bombing in Beirut and across the country. Five Israeli soldiers were also killed in action.

Just before the ceasefire took hold, Israeli warplanes also dropped leaflets over Beirut blaming Hezbollah and its Iranian and Syrian “masters” for the destruction in Lebanon.

“With its isolationist, reckless and false policy, Hezbollah has brought you many achievements: destruction, displacement and death,” said one leaflet.

“Can you pay this price a second time? Know that the Israeli defence forces will return and work with the required force against any terrorist act that will be launched from Lebanon to harm the state of Israel.” 

London, August 14
The terrorist threat level being faced by the UK has been downgraded from “critical to severe”, after the plot to blow up transatlantic flights here was unearthed last week, the Home Office said today.

The ban on carrying hand luggage on aeroplanes, introduced following last Thursday’s security alert and police operation, has also been lifted.

Last night, a British Airways flight from London to New York turned back after a mobile phone, then banned, was found on board.

A Home Office spokeswoman confirmed that following a meeting late yesterday, the Joint Terrorism and Analysis Centre (JTAC), which coordinates the whole of UK’s security and intelligence agencies to assess the terrorism threat, had decided to downgrade the threat level status.

In a statement, Mr Reid explained that this was because the JTAC felt that a terrorist attack, while still “highly likely”, was no longer “imminent”.

“There has now been time to assess the intelligence picture following the police operation. The police believes that the main suspects in the alleged plot were arrested last week,” he said.

But he added: “There is still a very serious threat of an attack. The threat level is at severe, indicating the high likelihood of an attempted terrorist attack at some stage, and I urge public to remain vigilant.”

In a statement, the Department for Transport said passengers would now be allowed to carry one item of hand luggage on to the flights.

But an item of hand luggage must not be more than 45 cm long, 35 cm wide and 16 cm deep, including wheels, handles and side pockets, the statement said.

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage, it added.

No liquids are permitted, except for essential prescription medicines and baby milk and baby food. — UNI

Islamabad, August 14
Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reaffirmed his country’s unflinching moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir and said a lasting peace could only be achieved by resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

“We have blood ties with Kashmiris, our hearts beat in unison and no world power can separate us from them,” Mr Aziz said while speaking at a flag hoisting ceremony held here on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.

The Prime Minister unfurled the National Flag and sang National anthem along with the people of Pakistan.

Pakistan, he stressed, resumed talks with India with all sincerity as it believed that lasting peace in the region could only be achieved with the resolution of the Kashmir and other outstanding issues.

“Kashmiris are an important party to the issue and their wishes and aspirations cannot be overlooked,” he said in his address which was telecast live.

He said the Armed Forces of Pakistan were fully capable to defend the country.

“Our missile and space program is advancing, the locally assembled Agosta submarine has been handed over to Pakistan Navy and the JF-7 Thunder aircraft is in the final stages...these are great achievements and the nation is proud of its engineers and technicians,” he added.

Mr Aziz pointed to the grave challenge posed to the Islamic Ummah

with the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and said innumerable innocent lives, including that of women and children, were lost due to this.

He urged the United Nations and the international community to play their role in finding a resolution of the issue.

“The Lebanese people should not consider them alone and the people of Pakistan stand by them in their hour of trial,” he said. — UNI

Islamabad, August 14
Days after BJP president Rajnath Singh demanded that India attack Pakistan to dismantle terrorist centres, President Pervez Musharraf today said there should be a change in mindset about threatening his country.

“We are a strong nation and nobody dare to threaten or coerce us,” he said, without directly referring to the BJP leader’s remarks.

At a function organised by PTV here late last night to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day, he said he has mixed feelings when he heard statements that Pakistan should be attacked.

“In one way I feel sad and on the other hand get angry because I am a soldier, I am not a defensive person, never learnt to be defensive. Also I feel like laughing. Gone are those days, and change the mindset,” he said. — PTI

Islamabad, August 14
Pakistan today said its High Commissioner to Sri Lanka was the main target of the landmine blast in Colombo and condemned the attack which left seven persons dead.

“According to initial information provided by Sri Lankan officials, Basheer Wali Mohammed was the target,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told PTI here.

The attack took place when Mr Wali was returning to his residence after hoisting the national flag at the Sri Lankan High Commission, where a ceremony was held to mark 
Pakistan’s Independence Day. — PTI