The French President’s special envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, considered on Thursday that the country is “in a dangerous situation,” while at the same time welcoming the continuation of talks that provide “a prospect” for ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Speaking to BFM TV and RMC, Le Drian said: “Today, Lebanon is in a dangerous situation regarding its unity and territorial integrity,” pointing to divisions among “the Lebanese factions regarding Hezbollah and regarding Israel.”

Le Drian added that “Lebanon’s territorial integrity is under threat because part of its territory is occupied by Israel, while another part is witnessing the movement and activity of Hezbollah, which serves Iranian interests, meaning the interests of a foreign power.”

Jean-Yves Le Drian (Houssam Chbaro).

Despite this, Jean-Yves Le Drian welcomed the continuation of the ceasefire, considering that it opens “a 45 day horizon during which we will continue discussions.”

The French envoy also considered the Lebanese leaders involved in this process to be “high caliber” and “courageous,” referring to their request to negotiate directly with the Israeli government to remove their country “from this stranglehold and reach a path that restores the Lebanese state’s ability to function and exist.”

He also viewed the involvement of the United States in the negotiation process as “positive,” “even though Israel refused to allow France to be part of these discussions, despite the Lebanese requesting this.”