UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Escalating Violence in Lebanon
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the rising violence in Lebanon, as announced by Slovenia’s mission to the UN, which currently holds the council’s rotating presidency.
The briefing is scheduled for September 25 at 6:00 PM (2200 GMT), with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slated to speak.
Earlier on Tuesday, Guterres issued a stark warning, stating that Lebanon is “on the brink” amidst escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. This warning comes as the humanitarian situation in Lebanon deteriorates, with authorities reporting that Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of 558 people, including 50 children.
“We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink,” Guterres said, underscoring the urgency as world leaders gathered in Manhattan for the annual UN General Assembly. Amidst this turmoil, France, a member of the Security Council, called for an emergency meeting on the Middle East crisis.
As the toll in Lebanon rises, attention has shifted from Gaza, where the situation remains dire. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the region is “almost in a full-fledged war.” Meanwhile, the United States, Israel’s closest ally, has reiterated its caution against a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon, with a senior US official promising to present “concrete” ideas for de-escalation during the UN meetings.
With ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza proving fruitless, the prospect of stabilizing Lebanon appears challenging. Guterres cautioned against the potential for Lebanon to become “another Gaza,” emphasizing the critical need for international attention and action to prevent further escalation in the region.
