French FM talks to US and Israeli counterparts ahead of Lebanon visit Thursday
France's foreign minister will visit Lebanon on Thursday, the ministry told AFP, after the EU called on Israel to stop its military strikes on the country.
The visit by Jean-Noel Barrot "underlines France's support and solidarity with the Lebanese people, dragged into a war they didn't choose," the foreign ministry said.
Barrot is due to meet with Lebanon's president, prime minister and parliament speaker and comes after he spoke by phone with his Israeli and U.S. counterparts.
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah militants launched rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel retaliated with strikes that have killed at least 968 people and displaced over a million, according to local authorities.
The European Union on Wednesday called on Israel to halt its campaign.
"The EU is deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon which already has devastating humanitarian consequences and risks triggering a prolonged conflict," a spokesperson said in a statement, adding that "Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon."
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://mobile.naharnet.com/stories/en/319052 |