French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Wednesday that he is "very concerned" about the tensions at the borders between Israel and Lebanon and asked for the release of two captured Israeli soldiers by Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

"I am very concerned about the latest development at the Israeli-Lebanese borders. I condemn the rocket launches this morning at the city of Kyriat Shmona. I also condemn the capture of two Israeli soldiers and I ask for their immediate and unconditioned release," said Douste-Blazy in a written statement.

France calls on all the parties for restraint and not to trigger a cycle of violence, of which the civilians would be the first victims, he said.

Paris will remain in permanent contact with all the concerned parties and with those who make efforts to find a solution to this crisis, he added.

The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, captured Wednesday two Israeli soldiers at the Israeli-Lebanese borders. Three Israeli soldiers were also killed in the Hezbollah attack on a border patrol, and four died during the subsequent incursion Wednesday to search for the missing servicemen.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the men would only be returned if Israeli released Lebanese prisoners in exchange.

Israeli ground forces, supported by warplanes, entered southern Lebanon to try to retrieve the two captured soldiers.

Source: Xinhua