Lebanese troops and UNIFIL defused four rockets set for launching in the outskirts of Houla on Wednesday a few hours after a Katyusha fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel prompted the latter to retaliate with artillery fire.

Voice of Lebanon radio said Wednesday that the rockets were located on the same launch pad used during the attack the day before. Tuesday's rocket landed in open ground east of the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona and started a fire but caused no serious damage, sources there said.

According to AFP, UNIFIL spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane said an inquiry has started. "UNIFIL immediately launched an investigation," she said, adding that the force had deployed additional troops in the area in coordination with the Lebanese army.

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)