Al Mayadeen English: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told BFMTV that France has requested an emergency...

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told BFMTV that France has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to "Israel’s" expanding aggression on Lebanon and the IOF reaching the al-Shaqif Fortress in South Lebanon.

Barrot stressed that "nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon or its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory."

He further argued that "Israel's" reported advance beyond the Litani River and other aggression are in "contrary to international law," stating, "This extension of military operations, this advance into Lebanese territory, is not only contrary to Israel's commitments, since we have had a ceasefire in Lebanon since April 17, it is contrary to international law and to all the resolutions that provide that Lebanon must be able to enjoy its full territorial integrity."

Barrot also warned that the Israeli escalation against South Lebanon and the Bekaa is "a major mistake" and "contrary to Israel's interests and security," arguing, "Every village that is bombed, every village that is occupied, every civilian who is killed, strengthens Hezbollah in the long term."

Asked whether France considered "Israel's" actions unacceptable, Barrot replied, "Of course".

However, Barrot dodged a follow-up question, whereby he was asked, "Why not move more quickly toward sanctions against Israel, if this is clearly unacceptable under international law and according to France’s own principles?"

He said that France wanted, from April 17 onward, once a ceasefire agreement had been reached, that "Israel would engage in good faith in a historic dialogue with the Lebanese government to jointly agree on a method for disarming Hezbollah, and for Israel to withdraw in an orderly manner from the country."