The Foreign Affairs Department of the Lebanese Kataeb Party condemned the killing of a French peacekeeper in southern Lebanon, describing the incident as a serious violation of international law and Lebanese sovereignty.

French Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio was killed in a shooting on Saturday in the town of Ghandooriyeh in the Bint Jbeil district. The attack targeted French troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and also wounded three other French personnel.

In a statement, the department extended its “deepest condolences” to the soldier’s family, the French State, and the French armed forces, while wishing a swift recovery to the injured.

It said the attack against United Nations forces “constitutes a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law” and undermines ongoing efforts to preserve stability in the country. The statement called for a “swift and transparent investigation” to identify those responsible and ensure accountability.

The department also placed responsibility on Hezbollah, describing it as an armed group operating outside the authority of the Lebanese State and holding it “directly responsible for the security environment that allows such attacks to occur.”

It added that the incident reflects what it called a “clear violation” of international resolutions, particularly United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all militias and the extension of state authority across Lebanese territory, as well as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which outlines security arrangements in southern Lebanon and calls for a cessation of hostilities.

The statement also referenced the ceasefire announced in 2024 and the most recent cessation of hostilities agreement dated April 16, 2026, noting that both frameworks impose “clear obligations to preserve stability and prevent escalation.”