Beirut, Lebanon ? Israel lifted its sea blockade of Lebanon on Friday, ending the country’s two months of isolation as the task of preventing the entry of Hezbollah weapons falls to international warships patrolling offshore.

In a further boost to peace efforts, Israel also said it plans to pull the last of its troops out of Lebanon within two weeks.

The sea blockade’s end, which came a day after Israel dropped its restrictions on air travel into Lebanon, lifts a barrier that has stifled Lebanon and cost the country tens of millions of dollars as it tries to rebuild from the devastating 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.