France calls on Iran-backed groups to show restraint if tensions between the United States and Iran escalate

(Patria) - Iran-backed groups in the Middle East should show "utmost restraint" if regional escalation between Iran and the United States occurs, in order to avoid destabilizing the region, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Friday, AP reported.

Jean-Noël Barrot made his comments in Beirut, where he arrived earlier that day after visits to Syria and Iraq. His visit also comes at a time when the US and Iran are holding indirect talks in Oman on how to approach discussions about Tehran's nuclear program.

There is concern in the region that if the United States attacks Iran, Iran-backed groups in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon could join the war, worsening the situation.

"However, if we witness a regional escalation, it would be appropriate for Iran-backed groups to show the utmost restraint across the region so as not to worsen the situation," Barrot said after talks with Lebanese leaders.

"That would deeply destabilize the Middle East," he warned.

He added that military escalation in the region is a risk that must be avoided at all costs, noting that it is not in the interest of the countries in the region, nor in the interest of France.

The French official discussed the ongoing disarmament process of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and a conference scheduled to be held next month in France to support the Lebanese army, which is expanding its presence in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel after a fourteen-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Barrot said France is working closely with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, which will jointly organize the conference "together with us for a targeted collective contribution, built with the Lebanese authorities."