"We are working day and night so that a durable ceasefire can take place as soon as possible. I believe it, I believe it more than ever after my trip to the Near East, after coming back from Beirut two days ago," said Douste-Blazy on Thursday in a BBC television interview.

France has been pressing for an immediate cessation of hostilities, a lasting ceasefire via a political agreement and finally the deployment of an international force.

He said France would not take part in an international force unless there was a political agreement between the parties concerned, adding that France was pleading for political ways to solve the problem.

"If there is no political agreement," the foreign minister said. "it would be putting our hand in an extremely dangerous trap."