Paris - As violence escalated in Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Friday called for a political solution to the crisis. "There is no other solution than a political one. Fifteen years of civil war have shown that one side cannot win over the other," Kouchner was quoted as saying by his spokeswoman.
The French foreign minister urged representatives of the Lebanese government and of the radical Shiite group Hezbollah "to sit at a negotiating table and come to an agreement."
At least 11 people were killed and dozens were injured overnight in fighting in the Lebanese capital Beirut. News reports said that Hezbollah had taken control of large sections of the city and was threatening pro-government strongholds.
Kouchner said that France "did not intend to remain inactive" in the crisis, and said he had spoken with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
He also said that France, which will assume the rotating six-month EU presidency on July 1, was acting on behalf of the current EU president, Slovenia, in the crisis and coordinating a response with its European partners.
