French Foreign Minister calls for UNSC 'emergency meeting' over Israel's operations in Lebanon

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address Israel's military operations in Lebanon. Barrot stated in an interview with BFMTV that the "prolongation of (Israel's) military operations in Lebanon and its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory" cannot be justified.

“

Nothing can justify the prolongation of (Israel's) military operations in Lebanon and its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory.

"This is a major mistake for Israel," Barrot added, as the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed they had taken control of Beaufort Castle, a strategic position not held since Israel's withdrawal in May 2000. The castle, a historical French Crusader-period site, is located in southern Lebanon.

In the same interview, Barrot also addressed the tense situation between Iran and the United States concerning the Strait of Hormuz. He urged both nations to reach a peace deal, describing the current blockade as "untenable." Barrot highlighted the daily economic consequences felt globally and specifically in France due to the blockade, emphasizing the need for it to cease.

“

This is a major mistake for Israel.

France is also advancing planning for a mission to guarantee freedom of movement through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a proactive diplomatic stance on the issue. Barrot's calls reflect France's concern over escalating regional conflicts and their broader economic implications.

“

We feel the consequences of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis, at the pump, and more generally with its impact on the global economy and on the French economy. So this has to stop.