Israel says France can play 'significant role' to avoid war in Lebanon
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Sunday that France could play a key role in preventing a war in Lebanon as cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah continue to raise tensions.
"France could play a positive and significant role to prevent a war in Lebanon," Cohen said at a joint media briefing with visiting French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.
Cohen said Israel "has no intention to start another front on our northern border" and that France could play a "positive and significant role" in preventing an all-out war.
But he warned that ensuring the security of Israelis near the border meant pushing Hezbollah "north of the Litani River".
"There are two ways to do that: either by diplomacy or by force," Cohen said.
Colonna, who is due to visit Lebanon on Monday, called on all parties to "de-escalate" along the border.
"If things were to spiral out of control, I don't think anyone would benefit, and I say this to Israel too," she said.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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