Paris, June 2 (SANA) French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Tuesday that there is “no justification whatsoever” for the continuation of Israeli military operations and the Israeli presence on Lebanese territory, calling for conditions that would support a new round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
Speaking in a televised interview, Barrot said France opposes any scenario in which Lebanon becomes a casualty of stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran. He added that he raised the issue during a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening.
Barrot’s remarks came as tensions continued to rise along Lebanon’s southern border, where the Israeli military has announced an expansion of its ground operations into additional areas north of the Litani River, alongside ongoing airstrikes and artillery attacks in southern Lebanon.
The French minister stressed the importance of ensuring a constructive environment for talks scheduled this week between the Lebanese and Israeli governments, arguing that reducing tensions and creating favorable political and security conditions are essential for advancing diplomatic efforts.
Lebanon and Israel are set to hold a new round of discussions on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the fourth round of talks since hostilities erupted in early March. The two sides previously held three rounds of negotiations in Washington in April and May as part of a U.S.-mediated process aimed at containing the conflict and promoting stability along the border.
R.D/ABD
