Richard Prasquier understands that France want political stability in the region, but wants everyone to remember that Hizbullah is a terrorist organisation. He mentioned attacks perpetrated by the movement over the last twenty years, including the attacks on Beirut and on the AMIA Israeli community building in Buenos Aires. Richard Prasquier insisted on the fact that Hizbullah was the major cause of the war in Lebanon, due to its attacks on Israeli territory and the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. The Red Cross and the families of these two men have had no news of them for a year. The President of CRIF called this attitude "barbaric".
Philippe Etienne told Mr. Pasquier that France's role was not to legitimize Hizbullah, but to get all those involved in the conflict to dialogue and reach a solution. The French diplomat understood the concerns of the CRIF President, and assured him that he would mention them.
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