French FM plays down between Hezbollah and Israel

Aug 25, 2008, 12:18 GMT

Beirut - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday that the mounting war of words between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah should not be taken seriously, but he warned that the region was still tense.

'One must always take threats seriously, both those made by Israel and by Mr. (Hassan) Nasrallah ... because this is a very inflammatory region,' Kouchner said after talks in Beirut with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman.

'But honestly this time I don't take either side very seriously... and I hope I am not mistaken,' he said, as he concluded a one-day visit to Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief Nasrallah vowed on Sunday to destroy Israel if it carries out threats to hit Lebanon.

'If (a war) were to happen as they are threatening, our victory this time will be decisive, unquestionable and final,' Nasrallah threatened during a televised speech.

He was referring to warnings by Israeli leaders that Lebanon's civilian infrastructure could become a target following the formation of a unity government in which the Hezbollah-led opposition has 11 ministries and the power of veto over cabinet decisions.

Kouchner, whose government currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, arrived in Beirut on Sunday at the start of a tour that will also take him to Syria. He said he scrapped a planned visit to Israel for scheduling reasons.

The French foreign minister said his trip to Damascus later Monday would focus on preparing a September 3-4 visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Syria.

The French official's visit came after Lebanon and Syria announced on August 13 that they intend to establish diplomatic ties for the first time since they both gained independence from France in 1943.