French foreign minister deplores Israel's rejection of 72-hour truce

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Saturday criticized Israel's rejection of a 72-hour halt

to fighting to evacuate the injured, children and elderly from southern Lebanon.

"I actively regret" the refusal, Douste-Blazy told a news conference in Paris. He said he would immediately renew France's appeal for such a temporary truce through the United Nations. (AP)