ISTANBUL

France’s foreign minister on Friday called on Israel to refrain from “any ground operations, from any attacks on civilian infrastructure, and from any attacks on densely populated areas, particularly Beirut."

Speaking after a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Jean-Noel Barrot stressed that “a path to peace remains possible” only if escalation is avoided.

Barrot said the G7 statement “calls for an immediate halt to attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure,” adding: “There is no justification for deliberately targeting civilians in armed conflicts, nor for launching attacks against diplomatic facilities.”

He underlined that France “denounces and mobilizes against violations of international law and international humanitarian law” in multiple conflict zones, citing Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Rejecting Moscow’s stance, Barrot said: “No, Russia does not defend international law, neither in Iran, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else.”

On maritime security, he said that the G7 reaffirmed “the absolute necessity" of permanently restoring free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and the Law of the Sea.

He added that foreign ministers agreed “on the principle of a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers with those of the Gulf Cooperation Council” and would “continue our work to contribute to resolving the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Addressing Lebanon, Barrot said “the gravity of the regional situation reinforces the need to preserve Lebanon's stability, support its legitimate institutions, protect civilians, and guarantee the full restoration of its sovereignty.”

He also voiced support for mediation efforts led by “Pakistan, as well as other countries like Egypt and Türkiye,” expressing hope they would help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate tensions.

On US policy, Barrot said: “I will not speak for (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio, and I gladly refer you to the public statements he has made recently, which correspond to the conversations we had today,” adding that Washington’s stated objective is “to neutralize Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.”

He noted that the G7 meeting required extensive preparation, saying Foreign Ministry teams had worked “very actively” with partners, including Saudi Arabia, India, Brazil, and South Korea, to ensure the gathering would deliver “analysis, diagnosis, but also decision-making and declarations.”