ISRAELI JETS HIT BEIRUT-DAMASCUS HIGHWAY

July 13, 2006

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli warplanes struck the highway linking Beirut to the Syrian capital of Damascus early Friday, but the main artery remains open, Lebanese security officials said.

Fighter jets attacked a highway section in the mountains of central Lebanon, in Mdeirej. But the targeted area was an old road extension, and the bridge on the nearby main highway remains intact, the officials said.

The highway, which climbs up from Beirut, winds through the mountains before descending into the Bekaa Valley and into Syria. It is one of Lebanon's only links with the outside world since Israeli forces imposed a sea, air and land blockade of Lebanon on Thursday.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon, striking bridges, roads, and the runways of the international airport and two major army air bases to put pressure on the government and force Hezbollah to free two Israeli soldiers the guerrillas captured Wednesday.