BEIRUT, Lebanon - Germany's foreign minister flew into Beirut on Thursday to work out plans for German help in monitoring at Lebanon's airport and seaports to prevent weapons shipments to Hezbollah as required under the United Nations cease-fire resolution.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived about two hours before Israel lifted the air blockade of Lebanon.

Calling the lifting of the blockade a first step, Steinmeyer told reporters at the airport there will be "accurate monitoring" of traffic through entry points into Lebanon.

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Germany will send customs and police officers to act as advisers to Lebanese authorities at Beirut's airport, as well as x-ray equipment to reinforce control, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in Berlin. It was unclear how many would be deployed.

Germany would also help Lebanon check traffic through its ports, Chancellor Angela Merkel said. She said in Berlin Thursday that Israel's lifting of its blockade of Lebanon could speed the deployment of German warships to patrol the Lebanese coast.

Steinmeier arrived with four German border police and customs experts, and six more will arrive later Thursday.

Germany has also offered to send ships to enforce the UN-brokered cease-fire that halted the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah on August 14.

Israel said German naval forces were expected to arrive off the Lebanese coast within two weeks. Until the German vessels arrive, Italian, French, British and Greek warships will patrol the coast.