UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Rising Violence in Lebanon Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
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Slovenia’s mission to the UN has announced that the United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the rising violence in Lebanon. Slovenia currently holds the rotating presidency of the council.
The Slovenian mission to the UN announced that a briefing on the situation in Lebanon is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, at 6:00 PM (2200 GMT), following consultations with member delegations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will address the meeting.
Earlier on Tuesday, Guterres cautioned world leaders that Lebanon is “on the brink” amid escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, coinciding with US President Joe Biden’s imminent address at the UN’s annual event.
Lebanese authorities have reported that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 558 fatalities, including 50 children. Guterres emphasized the need for concern, stating, “We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink.”
As world leaders convened in Manhattan for their annual speeches and diplomatic engagements, France, a member of the UN Security Council, called for an emergency meeting to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
With the death toll in Lebanon rising, attention has shifted from Gaza, prompting EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to warn that “we are almost in a full-fledged war.”
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon. A senior US official stated that the country would present “concrete” proposals for de-escalation during this week’s UN meetings.
However, prospects for calming the situation in Lebanon appear bleak, as efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, which has faced intense Israeli bombardment since October 2023, have yet to yield results.
Guterres warned of the “possibility of transforming Lebanon into another Gaza,” highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further escalation in the region. His comments reflect growing concerns about the potential for widespread violence and humanitarian crises similar to those seen in Gaza.
AFP
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