Source: United Nations (video statements)
"This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states,” UN Secretary-General said in Beirut during his visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Beirut earlier today (13 March).
He arrived from Ankara and landed in Lebanon at a critical and timely moment for country and the wider region.
Upon his arrival, he said this is a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon who did not choose this war. They were dragged into it.
The Secretary-General appealed to both parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and stop the enormous suffering of civilians in the region.
The Secretary-General also finished a round of meetings with President Joseph Aoun, with the Speaker of Parliament, and Nabih Berri, and with the Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
In all his meetings, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’ strong support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for the Lebanese State’s exercise of a monopoly on the use of force in its own country.
Discussions with Lebanese officials focused on the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, including the establishment of lasting security and stability across the Blue Line and beyond.
In his meetings, the Secretary-General was accompanied by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, his Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon; Imran Riza, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon; and Major General Diodato Abagnara, the Force Commander of our peacekeeping forces in the country.
In remarks to the media, the Secretary-General said that he hopes that his next visit to Lebanon will be a visit of a Lebanon in peace.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Lebanon also launched a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of $308.3 million to provide life-saving support to one million people impacted. And that will cover for the next 3 months.
Guterres emphasized that the success of this effort will depend on swift and flexible funding, as well as ensuring that humanitarian workers can safely reach those who are most in need.
He also called for respect of international humanitarian law, and that includes the protection of civilians.
The Secretary-General is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow for media in Lebanon, and we expected him back on Sunday.