Israel's Lebanon ceasefire terms 'not compatible with the sovereignty of strong country', France says

Israel wants to maintain the ability to strike Lebanon at any moment, as part of conditions to secure a ceasefire with Hezbollah, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Speaking to a parliamentary hearing after holding talks in Israel last week in Jerusalem, Jean-Noel Barrot said it was a condition increasingly voiced among Israeli officials.

"Today we hear in Israel voices calling for it to keep a capacity to strike at any moment or even enter Lebanon, as is the case with its neighbour Syria," Barrot said.

Barrot held talks last week with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and new Defence Minister Israel Katz.

"That is not compatible with the sovereignty of a strong country," he added.