Israel demands to “retain the ability to strike” Lebanon “at any time” within the framework of a cease-fire agreement with the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah, which is incompatible with the country's sovereignty, the head of French diplomacy stressed on Wednesday.

Stressing that the Israeli government's war aims in Lebanon were “not entirely precise,” Jean-Noël Barrot, who was in Israel last week, noted a hardening of positions.

“On the horizon, there is indeed a Lebanese state with which to live in peace, a neighbor that would not be a threat to Israel. But in the short term (...) it's the logic of war, positions are hardening,” he said at a hearing on Lebanon at the French National Assembly.

“Today, we hear voices in Israel saying that the most important thing is for Israel, at any time, to retain the ability to strike in Lebanon, or even enter Lebanon, as is the case with (...) Syria,” explained Barrot.

“This prospect is obviously incompatible with sovereignty (...), with a strong state with a monopoly on legitimate force,” he continued, stressing that diplomatic efforts were focused on building up the Lebanese armed forces.

Lebanon has been the scene of open warfare between Hezbollah and Israel since September. Diplomatic efforts to bring about a cease-fire have had no effect.

France is pushing for the application of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006, stipulating that only Blue Helmets and the Lebanese Army should be deployed in southern Lebanon bordering Israel.

It is considering ways of strengthening the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL), which is under fire from Israel for turning a blind eye to the arming of Hezbollah, which fires rockets into northern Israel on a daily basis.

Barrot stressed that discussions were taking place on the “evolution” of UNIFIL “without necessarily having to modify the mandate.”

He mentioned “the equipment that UNIFIL could mobilize to monitor the cease-fire when the time came,” “the frequency of patrols” and “its capacity to intervene.”

The Minister stressed that France was holding discussions with the main countries with contingents in UNIFIL to reinforce both the Lebanese armed forces and UNIFIL to guarantee security in northern Israel, “and thus fully justify the withdrawal of Israeli forces.”