During an hour of talks with Zionist Olmert, Annan said he pressed for a lifting of the blockade.

Annan also suggested that Israel should withdraw all its troops from southern Lebanon within "days or weeks", once up to 5000 UN-backed peacekeepers are on the ground.

"Israel will pull out of Lebanon once the resolution is implemented," Olmert is reported to have replied, indicating a longer timeline than was originally agreed upon.

Annan made little comment about the meeting, restricting himself to saying he hoped resolution 1701 could be the basis for a durable peace.