UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned world leaders on Tuesday that Lebanon was on “the brink” of catastrophic escalation as Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah strongholds ahead of US President Joe Biden’s final appearance at the global body’s annual event.
The gathering of world leaders, the high point of the diplomatic calendar, comes as the Lebanese health ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least 558 people — 50 of them children and 94 women.
Guterres emphasized the need for international vigilance, stating, “We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink.”
Meanwhile, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said, “We are almost in a full-fledged war,” signaling a shift in focus from the situation in Gaza to the escalating crisis in Lebanon.
The annual gathering, a highlight of the global diplomatic calendar, is witnessing an influx of urgent discussions concerning the Middle East crisis. France, a member of the UN Security Council, has called for an emergency meeting to address the deteriorating situation, which has overshadowed efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
As US President Joe Biden prepared for his final address at the UN, a senior US official reiterated the need to avoid a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon. The official said that the United States would present “concrete” proposals for de-escalation during the week.
Guterres cautioned against the “possibility of transforming Lebanon into another Gaza,” emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group remarked that many leaders would likely voice concerns about the UN’s relevance if it fails to facilitate peace.
With over 100 heads of state and government set to speak at the UN General Assembly, the potential for high-stakes diplomatic encounters looms large. Leaders from Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, and Algeria are scheduled to advocate for a Gaza ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to address the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has also called for an urgent meeting of Arab leaders on the sidelines of the assembly to discuss the crisis in Lebanon.