Total war ‘must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs’: Guterres
Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric issued a statement saying that United Nations chief António Guterres was “extremely concerned” by the rapid escalation of the conflict.
“An all-out war in Lebanon must be avoided at all costs, while respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, Mr. Dujarric added.
The UN chief spoke to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati earlier in the day, assuring him that “the entire United Nations system in Lebanon is mobilized to support all those in need in the country ”.
Mr. Guterres called on international donors to provide urgent support for the $426 million humanitarian appeal launched in Beirut.
“The Secretary-General will continue his contacts and his representatives on the ground will also continue their efforts to deescalate the situation,” Mr. Dujarric said.
‘Piece of opportunity’ for diplomacy
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert released a statement from Beirut saying that “what we feared has come true.”
“Every rocket and missile fired, every bomb dropped and every ground attack launched pulls the parties further from the vision set out in Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and the necessary conditions for the safe return of civilians on both sides of the Green Line.
This cycle of violence will not end well – for anyone. There is still little chance of successful diplomacy. The question now is whether it will be confiscated or wasted?.”
UNIFIL’s ‘blue helmet’ remains in place
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNITpatrolling the dividing line between Lebanon and Israel authorized by the Security Council under resolution 1701 after the last war between the two sides in 2006, issued a statement said earlier in the day that “the cost of continuing current action is too high.”
The delegation emphasized that civilians must be protected along with civilian infrastructure in accordance with international law.
Speaking to reporters at a regular daily briefing in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said he had been in contact with colleagues at UNIFIL who confirmed that despite what he called “ sporadic incursions” but the Israeli army crossed the Green Line, not on a comprehensive scale. The invasion is underway.
“Peacekeepers continue to man all bases and observation posts along the Green Line. What they haven’t been able to do in the past few hours is patrol with vehicles, Mr. Dujarric added.
“Our message to all countries in the region or beyond that have influence over one or more parties is to use that influence to de-escalate, not escalate tensions..”
Mr. Dujarric added that the United Nations is equally concerned about the impact of continued indiscriminate rocket fire into Israel from Hezbollah militants. “The concern is for everyone…for all the people in the area.”
