CONTENTS

1.        Security
2.        Air Operations
3.        SEA
4.        Border Crossing and Customs
5.        Infrastructure
6.        LOGISTICS COORDINATION
7.        Logistics (stocks)
8.        MAPPING
9.        OTHER

1.  Security

• An attempted car bomb attack on the US Embassy in Damascus took place yesterday morning (12/9/06).
• It is unclear what ramifications if any this will have on the Lebanon operation.
  

• As reported last week, the imposed air blockade was lifted on the evening of 7/9/06, and full commercial air traffic into Lebanon has resumed.
• The sea blockade was lifted one day later on 8/9/06 after the international naval force assumed control from the IDF. (Source: UNIFIL) Normal sea transport has since begun into Beirut port..
• UNIFIL currently has 3,500 troops on the ground following the arrival of over 200 French troops on Saturday.
• A French battalion is expected over the coming days alongside a Spanish battalion of about 1,000 troops, meaning UNIFIL could expand to 5,000 personnel within the coming week.
• The interim naval task force headed by Italy currently consists of four Italian ships and one ship each from France, Greece and the UK. Germany is expected to assume leadership of this contingent upon the arrival of two German navy frigates. (Source: Noon briefing by the spokesperson of the Secretary General, 11/9/06)
• MACC SL has identified 454 cluster bomb strike locations to date. (Source: MACC SL)
• The Chinese UNIFIL battalion has now destroyed 241 UXO and cleared 1,346 metres of roadway. (Source: Noon briefing by the spokesperson of the Secretary General, 11/9/06)
• The British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Lebanon on 11/9/06 where he was received by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saloukh.
• A demonstration of two thousand people took place in the centre of Beirut to protest perceived UK-backing of Israel's 34-day war with Hezbollah. The demonstration was peaceful, however UN staff were requested to avoid the city centre.
  

2.  AIR OPERATIONS

• German Air Force Transall C160 flights tasked by WFP UNHAS are continuing between Larnaca (Cyprus) and Beirut.
• One flight arrived yesterday (12/9/06) at 14:00 local time with a load of food, sanitary products, toys and medicine for the Kykkos Greek Orthodox Monastery, communications equipment for World Vision and ICT equipment for WFP.
• Eight more flights carrying 52MT of medical supplies for WHO are planned to take place starting today 13/9/06 and continuing through the week. In accordance, UNHAS will remain operational until at least September 18th.
• Agencies and NGOs requiring cargo transport from Larnaca are requested to inform the Logistics Cluster as soon as possible through the usual Cargo Movement Request procedure.
• Two of the three main runways at Beirut International Airport are now open for use and the third is under repair, though this may take another two months for completion. Meanwhile capacity remains sufficient for all flights to and from Beirut.
• The airport tankers damaged by bombing may take up to a year to repair. All refuelling currently requires the use of bowsers.
• Air traffic declined by 92% during the 60-day air blockade, with incoming air cargo dropping by 95%.
  

3.  SEA

• The vessel Anamcara made her final arrival in Beirut yesterday carrying 209 MT of hygiene kits, food kits and baby food for CRS/Caritas alongside 7 MT of medical supplies and ambulances for the Hariri Foundation.
• The Anamcara made five sailings between Cyprus and Lebanon for a total of 1,570 MT of cargo. Two further sailings were also made from Mersin for an additional 4,364 MT.
• Due to the resumption of normal commercial traffic into Beirut the need for the Anamcara has decreased considerably. She will therefore be returned to her owner at 10:00 today.
• Four ships have arrived since the naval blockade was lifted last Friday. Two were container ships, two delivered shipments of wheat and vehicles.
  

4.  BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS

• For customs clearance, port handling and transport information please see www.unjlc.org/lebanon.

5.  Infrastructure (Roads, Bridges, Rail, Ports, Airports, Warehouse)

• The Government of Lebanon's electricity authority, Electricite du Liban (EDL), has estimated that one Power plant, 14 power stations, 150 electrical transformers, 50 main electrical supply networks and 250 secondary power supply networks were destroyed or damaged during the war. (Source: Lebanese High Relief Commission)
• There are a total of 128 bridges and culverts across Lebanon needing repair or reconstruction due to bomb damage. 34 of these (27%) have had temporary repairs to date. 28 (22%) now have private underwriters for reconstruction. (Source: Lebanese Ministry of Public Works)
  

6.  LOGISTICS COORDINATION

• With the lifting of the blockade, heavy congestion is expected at the port and airport as large quantities of supplies enter the country.
• 60,000 containers are already expected in country by sea.
• Since the removal of the blockade and the transfer to use of commercial trucks without convoy escorts, no notifications on cargo movement are now required.
• Transport is still being provided from Syria to Lebanon through the Logistics Cluster Cargo Movement Request (CMR) procedure. Information and request forms remain available at www.unjlc.org/lebanon.
• UNJLC is now working closely with the Lebanese High Relief Commission (HRC) on the supply tracking and distribution mapping of all food and non food items (NFI) through Lebanon. The HRC is providing distribution data for all local NGOs. Agencies and INGOs are requested to submit their pipeline information to UNJLC as soon as possible.
  

7.  Logistics (stocks)

• For daily convoy movements please see www.unjlc.org/lebanon.

8.  MAPPING

• The UNJLC GIS team is currently working with the Ministry of Public Works to assist with the organisation of their project information.
• For all UNJLC maps of Lebanon please refer to website www.unjlc.org/lebanon.
  

9.  OTHER

• In the south of Lebanon, prices of food have increased by 30%, especially for meat.
• According to Finance Minister Jihad Azour, Lebanon's public debt is expected to rise to $42 billion by the end of the year as result of the conflict. The cost of business and trade activity during the war was $50 million per day.  Indirect losses from the war have totalled even more than direct losses and are currently estimated to be in the range of $3 billion to $3.5 billion.
• The Swiss government has announced an additional SFr 15 million ($12.1 million) to help victims of the conflicts in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. This takes the total Swiss contribution to just over SFr 20 million. The Swiss government gave the Swiss-led International Committee of the Red Cross SFr 5.2 million in July for relief work in Lebanon. (Source: Swiss Foreign Ministry)