UN calls for ‘maximum restraint’ following Israeli strikes on Beirut suburbs

un-calls-for-‘maximum-restraint’-following-israeli-strikes-on-beirut-suburbs

Peace and Security

The United Nations has voiced grave concern over Israeli strikes in the densely populated southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on Tuesday, which resulted in scores of civilian casualties.

“As we await further clarity on the circumstances, we again urge the parties to exercise maximum restraint and call on all concerned to avoid any further escalation,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents that evening.

He called for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law; to urgently commit to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, adopted in the wake of the 2006 war between Hizbollah and Israel, and to immediately return to a cessation of hostilities.

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, also appealed for “calm to prevail” in a statement expressing deep concern over the strikes. 

She underscored that “there is no such thing as a military solution”, and called on both Israel and Lebanon “to avail of all diplomatic avenues to pursue a return to the cessation of hostilities and to recommit to the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).”

More to follow.