United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the conclusion of his visit to Lebanon, warned of the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue.
He stated that Lebanon has witnessed widespread destruction, with fears that the south could become barren and the suburbs face the risk of total devastation.
Guterres emphasized the need to respect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and Lebanon’s sovereignty, adding that the UN will continue supporting efforts to strengthen the Lebanese army’s capabilities.
He urged Hezbollah to respect the government’s decisions and UN resolutions, and called on Israel to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“The Lebanese people did not choose war but were dragged into it. I call for a ceasefire and emphasize that the only solution is diplomacy and dialogue,” Guterres said.
He noted that Israeli evacuation warnings have forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee, disrupting their lives. Several areas in Lebanon have become scenes of destruction, and his message to all parties is to halt the war and pursue diplomatic dialogue.
Guterres also warned of the risk that southern Lebanon could become uninhabited due to the conflict, stressing that Lebanon’s sovereignty is being violated and that significant efforts are underway to stop escalation, halt hostilities, and bring all parties to the negotiating table.
