Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 14, 2026 Peace and security
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday called for an immediate end to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, stressing the need to respect international law and Lebanese sovereignty. These words came "against the backdrop of ongoing violence that is devastating lives on both sides of the border."
Speaking to journalists in Beirut during a "solidarity visit with the people of Lebanon," the UN chief warned that an escalation of fighting could turn large swathes of the country into "scorched earth" and exacerbate civilian suffering. He noted that recent exchanges of fire had already led to large-scale destruction and displacement of populations in Lebanon.
Civilians pay the highest price
Over the past two weeks, Hezbollah rockets and drones have targeted northern Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. This has resulted in massive Israeli bombing campaigns and evacuation orders across Lebanon. According to the Secretary-General, hundreds of Lebanese have been killed, including children, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes.
The Lebanese people did not choose this war. They were dragged into it.
Guterres reported that during his trip, he visited a shelter for displaced persons and was deeply moved by the stories of people who had lost their homes. He warned that southern Lebanon, already severely damaged by the fighting, risks becoming uninhabitable if the violence continues.
"The Lebanese people did not choose this war," he emphasized. "They were dragged into it."
"There is no military solution"
The UN chief made a direct appeal to the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and return to diplomacy.
"Stop the shelling. Stop the bombing," he said, emphasizing that there is no military solution—only diplomacy, dialogue, and full compliance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
The ceasefire agreement reached in late 2024 brought only temporary relief and was never fully implemented, Guterres noted. He added that violations continued on both sides of the UN-monitored Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.
The requirements of Resolution 1701 must be met.
The key to stabilizing the situation, he emphasized, is the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 after the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“It is imperative that Hizbullah respect the Government’s decision to ensure a state monopoly on the use of weapons, as well as all relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1701,” the Secretary-General said.
At the same time, he emphasized, Israel is also obliged to comply with international law.
“And it is crucial that Israel respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Secretary-General added.
© UNIFIL/H. Fahs
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visits a UN peacekeeper from Ghana in hospital who was wounded during the conflict in Lebanon.
Support for UN peacekeepers
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon is carrying out its peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line despite ongoing fighting. Guterres expressed gratitude to the peacekeepers for their courage, recalling that three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded in recent firefights.
"Attacks on peacekeepers are absolutely unacceptable," he stressed, warning that such actions violate international law and could be considered war crimes.
An appeal to the international community
In addition to the ceasefire, the Secretary-General called on the international community to strengthen its support for Lebanon, including by strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces and responding to the humanitarian appeal launched the previous day.
"The people of Lebanon—like the people of Israel and other peoples in the region—deserve to live without fear," he said, "to raise their children without the sound of sirens and gunshots. To return home without wondering when they will have to flee again."
Guterres noted that the UN will continue to work with the Lebanese authorities and international partners to achieve de-escalation and bring closer a peaceful future for the region.
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