French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he does not see a clear end to the conflict in the Middle East in the near term, stressing that France and its partners will continue to work to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
In remarks to reporters following his meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar in Tel Aviv, Barrow explained that "the current regional escalation, which began in one way or another since October 7, 2023, does not appear to have a clear way out in the near term," stressing that this "should not be an excuse for inaction."
In a sign of the seriousness of the situation, sirens sounded while Barrow was in Israel, following warnings of missile launches by Iran, forcing him, his companions, and journalists to head towards shelters.
Barrow's visit to Israel follows a tour that included Lebanon, as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions and push for a ceasefire, particularly on the Lebanese front. France has historical ties to Lebanon and is participating, alongside the United States, in diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict.
During his visit to Beirut, Barrow expressed his country's reservations about any possible Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon, while simultaneously calling on the Lebanese army to make every effort to disarm Hezbollah, a demand supported by the Lebanese government.
In contrast, diplomatic sources indicate that Israel has not shown acceptance of the proposed truce proposals, including Lebanese initiatives for direct talks, amid internal fears in Lebanon that any move against Hezbollah could lead to a civil war.
Sources also reported that France recently presented alternative proposals to the American ideas for ending the conflict, but these initiatives have not yet received sufficient support, while consultations continue between the parties concerned.
