French FM arrives in Beirut after Israel visit

France’s new foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné arrived Tuesday in Lebanon and met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Séjourné is scheduled to meet key Lebanese politicians in Beirut, after stops in Egypt on Saturday, Jordan on Sunday and Israel on Monday.

France and Qatar last month mediated the first agreement between Israel and Hamas since a weeklong cease-fire in November.

In Israel, Séjourné discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issues related to Lebanon, a former French protectorate from where Hezbollah has fired at targets in northern Israel during the Israeli war on Gaza.

Séjourné said France is committed to preventing any escalation of regional hostilities.

This is the minister's first trip to the Middle East since his appointment.