The Lebanese parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, has accused Israel of stealing soil from the Israeli-occupied zone in southern Lebanon.

Mr Berri said he had proof that Israel had removed hundreds of tonnes of fertile earth and sent it abroad.

He added that the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China, Britain, Russia, the United States and France, had all received some soil, and said he was seeking their help to put an end to what he called the Israeli theft.

Mr Berri has also written to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and the head of the Arab League, Abdel Meguid, seeking their support.

Israel has controlled parts of southern Lebanon since 1978.