Annan finds more illicit arms in Beirut

United Nations: Despite a United Nations (UN) ban on illegal weapons, arms smuggling continues to thrive in Lebanon, with the UN documenting 13 incidents so far.

The cases highlighted "significant deficiences" in equipment, training and coordination among Lebanese border troops, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in UN report on Friday.

Annan said that he continued to receive reports of illegal arms smuggling across the Lebanese-Syrian border but has been unable to verify them.

"It is plain that there is a need for bilateral assistance to the government to enhance its border security capabilities," he said, asking nations to help Beirut.

UN Security Council resolutions have called on Lebanon to disarm all militias on its soil, including Hezbollah guerrillas, and banned all unauthorized arms in Lebanon.

Annan's envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, said earlier this month he had evidence of the smuggling but was unable to reveal his sources. Syria dismissed the charge as untrue.

Of the 13 incidents of unauthorized weaponry, two were reported earlier this month by UN peacekeepers who found 17 Katyusha rockets and several explosive devices in Rachaiya El-Foukhar and Berghouz areas.

Seven missiles, three rocket launchers and substantial amounts of ammunition, which the Lebanese army destroyed, were also found.