French plan south Lebanon rescue

[tocqueville]

About 400 French nationals are trapped in southern Lebanon as clashes in the region continue, French Defence Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie says.

She told France's RMC Info radio that Paris would mount an operation to get them out, but gave no details.

Mrs Alliot-Marie said about 2,000 French citizens - or 10% of the French community in Lebanon - had already been evacuated from the country.

Thousands more foreigners are arriving in Cyprus from Lebanon today.

A troop transport vessel, the Sirocco, was due to dock in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, over the weekend to evacuate more people, Mrs Alliot-Marie said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5202392.stm

Comment: the BPC Mistral that arrives on Sunday has a rapid reaction force with heavy equipment, tanks, attack helicopters... etc...