The United States is "standing firm" on its demand that Israel freeze all construction in Judea and Samaria, a French official told Lebanese diplomats on Friday. According to the report which appeared in Lebanese newspapers and was reported by Israel Radio, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that the U.S. had given Israel a six month deadline to stop all construction in Judea and Samaria, which could be extended. If construction does continue, Kouchner was quoted as saying, the U.S. will not involve itself in promoting negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Other sanctions against Israel could follow, Kouchner added.
Kouchner on Friday met with Hizbullah officials in the latest "outreach" attempt to the terror organization, the Lebanese report said.