UN Secretary-General condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the large-scale Israeli strikes on Lebanon on April 8, stating that hundreds of civilians, including children, were killed and injured, and civilian infrastructure was destroyed.

As reported by the organization's press service, this was stated in a declaration by his official spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

A. Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Lebanon and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He emphasized that the ongoing hostilities in the country against the backdrop of the announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran pose a serious threat to its observance and undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The UN Secretary-General called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and reminded of the need to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. According to him, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and attacks on them are unacceptable.

A. Guterres also stated that there is no military solution to the conflict and called on the parties to return to diplomatic channels, as well as to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which regulates the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border.