French FM to visit Israel after Lebanon amid efforts to thwart all-out war

PARIS — French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne traveled Thursday to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese leaders before traveling on to Israel on Friday in a bid to avoid the outbreak of an all-out war.

Sejourne met in Beirut with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, and Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. A statement issued by Sejourne after the meetings said, "France remains at Lebanon's side, pursuing its efforts to achieve de-escalation, a cease-fire in Gaza and the extension of the UNIFIL mission to stabilize the region."

The French foreign minister will arrive in Israel at the same time as British Foreign Minister David Lammy. The two plan to meet with Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Jerusalem. A statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry Thursday said that at the trilateral meeting, Katz is set to discuss the need to "advance harsh economic sanctions against Iran" in light of its nuclear plan and its development and production of missiles and drones. 

Sejourne's visit comes after a series of talks held by French President Emmanuel Macron with leaders in the Middle East since the killing of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on July 30 and the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Macron spoke by phone with leaders from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.