(Communicated by the Defense Minister's Media Adviser)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke this evening (8 July) with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
Prior to the upcoming meeting of the Union of the Mediterranean states to be held in Paris on Sunday (13 July), DM Barak emphasized that "Israel will not be able to accept the ongoing and growing undercutting of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which is not being implemented and the continued smuggling of all types of weapons into Lebanon, upsetting the delicate balance along Israel's northern border." DM Barak told FM Kouchner that Israel expects him to act to halt the transfer of arms from Syria to Hizbullah, adding that the UNIFIL force operating in Lebanon must increase its efforts against the growing armament and fortification of Hizbullah.
DM Barak will convey this message to other foreign ministers and leaders who will be participating in the Mediterranean Union meeting.