France's foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot is making an unscheduled trip to Israel after talks in Beirut aimed at pushing for a ceasefire and reducing regional tensions. He will raise regional security, humanitarian aid and diplomatic steps to de-escalate hostilities. Lebanon's government has offered direct talks to Israel but faces internal concerns about confronting Hezbollah, which has rejected negotiations and continued fighting since March 2. France has also proposed alternatives to U.S. ideas for resolving the crisis, but those suggestions have met a cool response from Washington and rejection from Israel.
France's Foreign Minister Makes Unscheduled Visit to Israel After Beirut Talks to Push for Ceasefire
FILE PHOTO: French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot speaks at a European Union Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels, Belgium February 23, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
PARIS, March 19 — France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, will make an unscheduled visit to Israel on Friday after meeting leaders in Beirut on Thursday as part of France's push to ease regional tensions and press for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
The French foreign ministry said Barrot will meet Israeli officials to discuss regional security, the delivery of humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the broader conflicts across the Middle East.
Diplomatic Context
Sources familiar with the situation say Israel has dismissed Beirut's offer of direct talks as insufficient and too late. Lebanon's government shares the objective of seeing Iran-backed Hezbollah disarmed but has warned that military action against the group could risk triggering a civil war.
President Michel Aoun, who met Barrot on Thursday, indicated Lebanon's readiness to enter direct negotiations with Israel. Israel has carried out airstrikes in Lebanon since Hezbollah opened fire on March 2; Hezbollah has rejected talks and continued fighting.
France's Role and Proposals
France, which maintains historical ties with Lebanon, has joined the United States in attempting to mediate the crisis. The foreign ministry said Barrot spoke with U.S. officials ahead of his trip to Beirut as part of ongoing consultations.
Two diplomats said France presented counter-proposals last week to U.S. ideas intended to end the fighting. Other diplomats added that Washington had been lukewarm to the French suggestions and that Israel had rejected the proposals, although discussions with U.S. counterparts remain ongoing.
“We call on the Israeli and Lebanese representatives to conduct constructive negotiations with a view to finding a lasting political solution, and we are ready, if necessary, to welcome them,” foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told reporters on Thursday.
Barrot's unscheduled visit to Israel underscores Paris's active diplomatic role as it seeks to broker talks and reduce the risk of wider escalation in the region.
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