Israel to Occupy Area of Lebanon as Security Zone - New York Times

Israel to Occupy Area of Lebanon as Security Zone - New York Times:

The French cannot be serious about giving Hezbollah a say in any of this. Why would the French legitimize terrorists? If the French feel this way, Israel should pursue the eradication of as many Hezbollah as possible. The French are an odd lot with little credibility on the world stage, IMHO.


"France is perhaps the most likely European country to contribute troops, given its history with Lebanon. France administered Lebanon as a protectorate from 1920 to 1943, and the former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri, who was killed in a car bombing last year that many believe was linked to Syria, was a close friend of the French president, Jacques Chirac.

But France is now resisting the American idea of moving a force in quickly, insisting on a cease-fire first, followed by a political agreement between Israel and Lebanon that would also be accepted by Hezbollah, said Jean-Baptiste Mattéi, the French Foreign Ministry spokesman."