Paris 'fully committed' to reaching Lebanon-Israel deescalation

France is “fully committed to reaching a de-escalation” between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, its permanent representative to the U.N. said.

“France is extremely concerned by the deterioration of the situation along the Blue Line and remains fully committed to reaching a de-escalation, and promoting a diplomatic solution to avoid a full-fledged war,” the representative Nicolas de Rivière said ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting.

“Consequences of such a perspective would be unbearable and catastrophic for the two countries and the region,” De Rivière warned.

“It is necessary that all parties restraint themselves and fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians,” he added.

He noted that the framework set up by the Security Council is clear : “all parties must fully respect and implement Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).”

“France is in contact with both parties to find the conditions to implement this resolution and come back to a cessation of hostilities,” the representative said.

Moreover, De Rivière stressed Paris’ “full support” to UNIFIL’s work.

He added: “All parties are responsible to ensure that UNIFIL personnel are safe and secure. Its freedom of movement needs to be fully respected and unimpeded. We will work towards the renewal of its mandates in the days to come, based on the balance set up by Resolution 1701.”