French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has called for Israel to end its “illegal occupation” of Lebanese territory, warning that the country’s military strategy risks undermining regional stability, reports Anadolu.

Speaking before France’s National Assembly, Lecornu said the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon must be respected and criticized ongoing Israeli military operations.

“It is “It is clear that not only must the ceasefire be respected, but it is extremely fragile, it even resembles a kind of ‘ceasefire accompanied by fire’, which is unacceptable. Israel must end this war and its illegal occupation of Lebanese territory,” he said.

Lecornu stressed that the conflict in Lebanon cannot be separated from broader efforts to address tensions involving Iran, saying that has repeatedly warned its allies not to put aside the Lebanese issue.

“There will be no comprehensive solution to this war with Iran if the Lebanese issue is put aside,” he said, citing Hezbollah’s ties to Tehran and warning that efforts to ignore Lebanon’s role in regional dynamics have proved wrong.

The French prime minister said the policies pursued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are ultimately harming Israel’s own interests.

“What the Israeli government is doing is endangering, in the medium and long term, the security of the State of Israel itself,” said Lecornu, adding that the consequences of ongoing military operations are creating new security risks instead of strengthening security.

He criticized what he called the strategy of “permanent war” pursued by Netanyahu, stressing that France is working to oppose such an approach and ensure the support of regional partners and the United States.

“We clearly see that the strategy of permanent war that Prime Minister Netanyahu is implementing before our eyes is something that must not only be prevented and opposed, but also requires the persuasion of regional partners and, of course, the US to act in this direction,” he said.

Lecornu said that France’s priorities since the outbreak of hostilities have been the protection of French citizens, maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and supporting Lebanon, with which France has early historical ties.

He added that developments in Lebanon directly affect the ongoing talks between the US and Iran, as well as broader efforts to stabilize the region.

Iran’s conditions for finally ending the US-Israeli war, which is currently suspended, include a cessation of hostilities in all fronts, including Lebanon, where the latest offensive began in early March.

Netanyahu recently ordered troops to expand the incursion into Lebanon and hit targets in Beirut, but was restrained by US President Donald Trump, who during a tense telephone conversation called him “crazy”.

Source: prizrenpost