BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli jets violated airspace in southern Lebanon Monday by flying at low altitude over areas where UN peacekeepers are stationed, police said.

The jets also flew over the cities of Tyre, Marjayoun and Nabatiyeh, police said.

France, which currently heads the UN force in Lebanon, protested to the Israeli authorities in October following a series of airspace violations over its positions in south Lebanon.

Israel has defended its overflights by saying they are needed to monitor arms shipments to the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

UN chief Kofi Annan has warned that Israel's airspace violations 'undermine the credibility of both UNIFIL and Lebanese armed forces.'

UN Resolution 1701, which was adopted in August and ended 33 days of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, called for a beefed-up UNIFIL force alongside 15,000 Lebanese troops to monitor the borders between Lebanon and Israel. -DPA