UN chief “deeply concerned” by “dramatic escalation” in Lebanese capital

The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, expressed this Saturday “deeply concerned” about the “dramatic escalation” that is taking place in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, in the last 24 hours, his spokesman said.

>>> What happens in the war between Israel and Hezbollah after the death of Hassan Nasrallah?

“The Secretary General is deeply concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours” with the Israeli bombings, said in a statement, transmitted by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, in which he urged “stop the cycle of violence now.”

“All parties must step back from the brink” since neither the people of Lebanon nor Israel, nor the region “can afford an all-out war,” he urged.

Israel killed the head of the Lebanese Islamist movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in a bombing near Beirut that dealt a heavy blow to the pro-Iran group and pushed Lebanon and the entire Middle East towards a deepening conflict.

Friday’s Israeli bombardment on the southern outskirts of Beirut destroyed dozens of buildings, forced hundreds of people to flee their homes and left at least six dead, according to a provisional balance from the Lebanese authorities.

>>> Who was Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader whom Israel claims to have killed?

The UN chief also reiterated his call “for an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas, since the unprecedented attacks of October 7, 2023 on Israeli soil, which activated Israel’s war against the Palestinian group in the Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

What does the United States say?

The assassination of Hassan Nasrallah is “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of American, Israeli and Lebanese civilians,” President Joe Biden said Saturday. “The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” he added.

Later, he urged the press for a truce after the Israeli attacks in Lebanon: “It’s time for a ceasefire.”

For her part, the vice president and Democratic candidate for the White House, Kamala Harris called Hassan Nasrallah a “terrorist with American blood on his hands.”

“Today the victims of Hezbollah had a measure of justice” and “I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself,” he said.