The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon managed to broker a ceasefire on Sunday between Israel and militants in Lebanon following fierce clashes along the border, Lebanese National News Agency reported.

Spokesman for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Milos Strugel announced the ceasefire after intensive efforts among all concerned parties.

"Following intensive contacts with all parties throughout Sunday, UNIFIL has succeeded in obtaining a ceasefire which should take effect on the ground," said Strugel.

The UNIFIL-brokered ceasefire came after conflicts between Lebanese militants and Israeli soldiers erupted in the disputed area of Shebaa Farm on Sunday.

One Hizbollah militant was killed and an Israeli soldier was wounded in the exchange of fire.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army launched fresh air strikes on southern Lebanon following earlier raids targeting two Palestinian militant bases in eastern Lebanon and near Beirut, killing one Palestinian militant and wounding five others.

Israel said that the air strikes were in retaliation for rocket firing on northern Israel from Lebanon, which wounded an Israeli soldier.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Holy War) claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2006)