French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is planning his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in two months time, a French diplomat told Haaretz Monday.

This will be Kouchner's first trip to Israel since his appointment as foreign minister in May.

The diplomatic source told Haaretz that "the details of the trip are yet to be finalized, and it is dependent mainly on the Palestinian and Israeli timetable - which will become very cramped at that period with the Jewish holidays and Ramadan.

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Kouchner's primary aim is expected to be meeting the key figures in the region and being updated on developments in contacts between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as on the situation in the PA. Kouchner has already met Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, when she visited Paris a month and half ago.

The French foreign minister has been occupied in recent weeks with attempts to encourage dialogue between Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora's government, and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

Kouchner said last week that Lebanon is likely to descend into a civil war if its conflicting political leaders do not resolve the current crisis, which is threatening to divide the country. He said this during a visit to Lebanon, where he met leaders from the various factions.

This visit followed a conference France sponsored and hosted at the beginning of the month, which was held in order to jumpstart talks between the Muslim and Christian Lebanese groups.