French security officials detained in diplomatic incident in Jerusalem

Israeli police briefly detained two French security officials in a diplomatic incident that prompted the cancellation of a local visit by France's foreign minister.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had planned to got to the French-owned Eleona church compound in Jerusalem during a visit to the region attempting to calm tensions in the region.

However, he said that the compound visit was called off "because Israeli security forces entered with weapons, without prior French authorisation, without agreeing to leave today."

Speaking at the scene, he called the situation "unacceptable."