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.