BEIRUT (AFP) - UN chief Kofi Annan will arrive in Beirut on Monday to discuss the deployment of a beefed-up UN peacekeeping force as well as measures to secure the border with Syria, a Lebanese official said.

Annan, who will spend the night in Beirut, will meet with Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Defense Minister Elias Murr, parliament speaker Nabih Berri and army commander General Michel Sleiman.

Mohammed Chatah, Siniora's top adviser, said the minister spoke by telephone with Annan late Friday concerning the deployment of the force and related issues.

"During Annan's visit, the Lebanese government plans to raise as a priority the total lifting of Israel's air and naval blockade on Lebanon, which is in violation of UN (Security Council) Resolution 1701 and which is punishing the entire population," Chatah told AFP.

"As far as Lebanon is concerned, Israel must withdraw immediately and without delay" from south Lebanon, he added.