Tuesday, August 15 2006 11:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beirut: The UN-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militia came into force today putting an end to the month-old hostilities in Lebanon but sporadic Israeli gunfire in the area highlighted the fragility of the peace plan.

Fighting ceased at 1030 IST but Israel said it would continue to maintain an air and sea blockade of Lebanon. It also said troops would return fire if they came under attack.

Lebanese, Israeli and UN officers met on the border today to discuss the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the war-ravaged region.

The UN Security Council on Friday had adopted the resolution designed to end four weeks of fighting which has killed more than 1,100 people on both sides, creating a 24-km buffer zone and authorising 15,000 peacekeepers to help the Lebanese army take control of the country's south.

Within hours of the guns falling silent, Israel soldiers shot a group of Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

Another militant was killed in the south after approaching Israeli forces just south of the strategic Litani river, six hours after the truce came into force, Israeli army said.

Cars packed with luggage and passengers took the highway south from Beirut, while others jammed a road leading out of Sidon, as civilians attempted to return to their homes. In northern Israel, soldiers coming out of Lebanon were greeted with handshakes by their comrades.