The head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot, called on Israel and the Lebanese this Sunday, November 24, to take advantage of a “window of opportunity” that is opening to conclude a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“An opportunity is opening up and I ask all parties to take advantage of it,” declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs on France 3.
“Through diplomacy, working with the parties involved in the parameters that allow us to guarantee both the security of Israel and also the territorial integrity of Lebanon, I believe that we are in the process of reaching a solution that may be acceptable. to all parties and that they must take advantage of it so that the fire ceases and the humanitarian catastrophe also ceases,” he added, while calling himself “cautious.”
“More progress”
His comments echo those of the US president’s special envoy, Amos Hochstein, who reported “further progress” toward a truce during a tour of Lebanon and Israel this week.
With the support of Paris, Washington presented a 13-point plan to the Lebanese authorities last week that provides for a 60-day truce and the deployment of the army in southern Lebanon, one of Hezbollah’s strongholds.
Also asked about the international arrest warrant issued on Thursday by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in particular and whether the latter would be detained if he travels to France, the French minister indicated: “It is a “hypothetical question which I don’t have to answer as long as it’s hypothetical.”
But “France will always apply international law,” he added, specifying that this mandate was the “formalization of an accusation” and not a trial.
Source: BFM TV
