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Lebanon
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that nothing justifies Israel's prolonged military operations and presence in Lebanon amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized on Tuesday that there is "nothing that can justify" Israel's ongoing military operations and extended control in Lebanon, while clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continued overnight despite Washington's announcement of a ceasefire.
Barrot stated during a televised interview on France TV, "It is absolutely unacceptable to sacrifice Lebanon as a form of atonement for the failure to reach an agreement between Iran and the United States," adding that he spoke on Monday evening with his American counterpart Marco Rubio.
The Israeli army is conducting its deepest military incursion into Lebanon since 2000, when it withdrew after 18 years of occupation.
Barrot said, "What we want is for the scheduled talks this week between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to take place under the best possible conditions," according to France Press.
Lebanon and Israel, which do not have diplomatic relations, are holding a new round of talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, opposed by Hezbollah. This is the fourth round since the war erupted earlier in March.
Despite Washington's announcement in April of a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, Israel has continued to carry out strikes and demolish homes and buildings in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah repeatedly claims attacks using drones and rocket launches targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon or northern Israel.
Reaching an agreement in Lebanon holds significant importance for U.S. President Donald Trump, as Iran has conditioned any ceasefire in Lebanon on an agreement to end the Middle East conflict.
