France calls for emergency meeting on Lebanon

The Israeli army had previously expanded its attacks in southern Lebanon and, according to its own statements, captured the strategically important crusader fortress of Beaufort. Barrot said that he had requested that the Security Council be convened as the development represented a further escalation.

Although France recognizes Israel's right to self-defence against attacks by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, "nothing justifies this development", he explained. It also represented a "serious mistake" and a violation of international law.