UN chief says ‘diplomatic avenues are available’ to end war in Lebanon
Key Takeaways
- Guterres says diplomatic avenues are available to end the Lebanon-Israel conflict.
- He urged international support for Lebanon, noting the Lebanese government pledged to disarm Hezbollah.
- There is no military solution; diplomacy remains the path to end the war.
Diplomacy as solution
UN chief Antonio Guterres has said that diplomatic channels remain open to end the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and urged the international community to support Lebanon.
“UN chief says ‘diplomatic avenues are available’ to end war in Lebanon Antonio Guterres has also urged support for the Lebanese government, which last year committed to disarming Hezbollah UN chief Antonio Guterres has said that diplomatic channels remain open to end the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and urged the international community to support Lebanon”
“There is no military solution, only diplomacy, dialogue and full implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
The diplomatic avenues are available, including through my special coordinator for Lebanon ... and through key member states,” he said on Saturday during a visit to Beirut.
Causes of Lebanon conflict
Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war last week when militant group Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
De-escalation and UNIFIL
“We are doing everything we can now to bring about an immediate de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities,” Guterres told reporters.
“UN chief says ‘diplomatic avenues are available’ to end war in Lebanon Antonio Guterres has also urged support for the Lebanese government, which last year committed to disarming Hezbollah UN chief Antonio Guterres has said that diplomatic channels remain open to end the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and urged the international community to support Lebanon”
“My special coordinator is engaging with all actors around the clock to bring the parties to the table and UNIFIL peacekeepers ... remain in position,” he said, referring to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
He said attacks against peacekeepers and positions were “completely unacceptable and they must stop.
They are in breach of international law and may constitute war crimes”.
Casualties in Lebanon
Three peacekeepers serving with the Ghanaian contingent were wounded earlier this month in south Lebanon.
