Guterres warns of “Lebanon turning into another Gaza”
NEW YORK, June 22 (YPA) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that “the world cannot tolerate Lebanon turning into another Gaza.”
He expressed his deep concern about the escalating tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli occupation.
Guterres said in a press conference near the UN Security Council in New York on Friday, “Today I felt it my duty to express my deep concerns about the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah along the Blue Line.”
He added that “one reckless step and one miscalculation could lead to a disaster that exceeds borders and, frankly, exceeds expectations.”
The UN Secretary-General pointed out that the Israeli occupation army had targeted several towns in southern Lebanon with explosives that caused forest fires that pose a threat to residential areas, explaining that “unexploded ordnance and remnants of war fill the area.”
During his speech, he affirmed that this “poses additional threats to the people in Israel and Lebanon, and to the United Nations and humanitarian relief personnel.”
Guterres urged both parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 1701 and to immediately return to the cessation of hostilities.
He called for an end to “combat operations” in southern Lebanon after a devastating 33-day war between Hezbollah and the Israeli occupation army.
YPA