In a persisting effort to prevent an open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, visiting French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné asserted on Sunday that Paris is continuing its “total mobilization” to help Lebanon emerge from its political, social and economic crisis. 

“It has gone on for far too long,” Séjourné told a press conference at the end of his visit during which he held talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, and Army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun.

Stressing that the Iranian attack on Israel on the night of April 13 to 14, in retaliation to the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, was a highly “worrying” turning point, he said, “We refuse to accept the worst-case scenario in southern Lebanon where the civilian population is paying the price.”

“No one has any interest that Israel and Hezbollah continue this escalation. I’ve taken this message to the Lebanese leaders and I’ll be taking the same message to Israel on Tuesday,” Séjourné added, calling on “all Lebanese players to do their part and assume their responsibilities,” to preserve the country.

The top French diplomat stressed that Lebanon’s observations on the roadmap proposed by Paris to achieve full implementation of resolution 1701 by all parties “are fully taken into account,” and that France’s efforts to reach an accord “will not falter as consultations continue.” 

However, when asked by This is Beirut, he refrained from disclosing any modification made to the proposals and whether they would be more acceptable for Hezbollah. “We are currently discussing proposals with all our partners. We’ll then see what feedback we get in that regard,” he said.

Hezbollah has repeatedly declared that only a ceasefire in Gaza will put an end to its attacks on Israel. Since October 8, an estimated 385 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 254 Hezbollah fighters and dozens of civilians, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced.

Underlining what he called “UNIFIL’s decisive role” in averting a worst-case scenario in South Lebanon, Séjourné emphasized that “all parties must allow the peacekeeping force to carry out its mission to the full.”

He reiterated France’s continuous support to the Lebanese army, stressing that “a return to stability requires the redeployment of the armed forces in southern Lebanon.” 

On the protracted vacancy of the presidential seat, the top French diplomat was adamant that “without an elected president and a fully functioning government, Lebanon will not be invited to the negotiating table” on a regional settlement. 

When asked about how France can help Lebanon alleviate the burden of hosting scores of displaced Syrians, Séjourné said, “We are aware that the presence of Syrian refugees has weighed heavily on Lebanon since the conflict in Syria, but this return must be voluntary, dignified, safe and in compliance with international law, and at this stage these conditions have yet to be met.”

According to a Western diplomatic source, France’s unwavering diplomatic efforts is meant “to show to the belligerents that the diplomatic way and option is possible.”

“It remains in the calculations of each side, when weighing up war or diplomacy. This dynamic alone will eventually delay the warlike intentions of all parties in their calculations,” the source told This is Beirut.

Séjourné will be in Israel on Tuesday, as part of his regional tour that includes Saudi Arabia where he will be participating in the global economic summit on Monday.