Two reconnaissance planes flew over southern and eastern Lebanon from late Friday afternoon until 3:35 am (0135 GMT) Saturday, said an angry statement from the Lebanese army broadcast on state television.

The United Nations on Wednesday condemned Israel's multiple violations of Lebanese airspace, warning that the repeated overflights could escalate the tension in the region.

"We regret to note that the last two days have witnessed continuing violations of the Blue Line by Israeli military aircraft," the UN office in Beirut said, referring to the line the United Nations drew to demarcate the border after Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon in May 2000.

Tensions have flared in the region since October 5, when Israel launched its first air strike in 30 years on Syria, the main power-broker in Lebanon, on an alleged Palestinian militant base.

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