'We can no longer wait': French foreign minister calls for ceasefire in Gaza

ISTANBUL

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday called for an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that they can "no longer wait."

"I believe we can no longer wait, and it seems to me that the conditions are now in place to finally achieve an immediate ceasefire," Barrot said during a brief press interaction.

He called for the "unhindered" release of all hostages and the "large-scale" access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, "where the Palestinian civilian population is suffering."

As the EU accelerates its efforts to strike a transatlantic trade deal with the US, Barrot said: "We support the negotiations being led by the European Commission. We want a balanced agreement."

"We do not want an asymmetrical agreement that would place us in a position of vassalage."

He further voiced "hope" for reaching an agreement that "safeguards the interests of all parties," stressing neither the US nor Europe wants a trade war.

Barrot further reassured that the French Embassy in Tehran is "fully aware" and "mobilized" over the disappearance of an 18-year-old French citizen in Iran.

Lennart Monterlos, who was cycling to Japan, has been reportedly missing since June 16, according to the broadcaster BFM TV.