French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot says US-led efforts for a truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon have created the chance for a lasting ceasefire, calling on both sides to accept a deal on the table.
“There is a window of opportunity that’s opening for a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon that would allow the return of those displaced, ensure the sovereignty of Lebanon and the security of Israel,” he tells Europe 1 radio.
“I call on all sides with whom we are in close contact to seize this window.”
Negotiators indicated Tuesday that gaps between the sides had narrowed, while indicating that some technical points remained to be worked out.
Speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV channel, an official with the terror group says he is neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic about the prospects of a truce.
Mahmoud Qmati says any deal must end fighting swiftly and preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty, an apparent reference to Israel’s stance that it must be able to resume striking Hezbollah should the terror group threaten it again.
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