PARIS — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer discussed Thursday the security guarantees Israel is demanding in order to agree to a cease-fire in Lebanon.

During his visit to Israel, Barrot also met with outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz and with family members of Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi, the two French-Israeli dual citizens held hostage by Hamas. Yet the principal reason for the visit, first proposed by Israel, was the Lebanese file.

Israel, France talk guarantees

French and Israeli diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor that the guarantees Israel is seeking have been a topic of discussion with Paris for several weeks now. Barrot's visit focused on these guarantees and how to include them in a potential deal with Hezbollah. Israel is essentially asking for permission to act militarily against Hezbollah militants in cases where the group breaches the agreement and if the Lebanese army and UNIFIL peacekeeping forces fail to thwart such actions. This would specifically concern cases where Hezbollah will try to set up military posts near the border with Israel.