Widespread Condemnation of Israel’s Strikes on Lebanon, Calls for Arab-Islamic Summit, Emergency UNSC Meeting -1-

In Washington, US President Joe Biden affirmed efforts to reduce the escalation in Lebanon "in a way that allows people to return home safely". The White House said that finding a solution to the conflict on both sides of the Blue Line border between Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories quickly and through diplomatic means is in the interest of all parties. In turn, the Turkish Foreign Ministry warned that Israel's attacks on Lebanon mark a new phase in its efforts to drag the entire region into chaos, urging all institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security, especially the UN Security Council, as well as the international community, to take necessary measures without delay. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France had requested an emergency UNSC meeting to address the conflict, stressing that the strikes must immediately end and France once again is calling on the parties and those that support them to deescalate. "These strikes conducted on both sides of the Blue Line, and in the region more broadly, must immediately end," he added. Meanwhile, China condemned Israel's indiscriminate attacks against civilians in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed China's firm support for Lebanon in safeguarding its security and sovereignty. Wang affirmed that China strongly condemns any action that violates the basic norms governing international relations, adding that the current situation "is a manifestation of the spillover effect of the conflicts in Gaza." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Israel seeks to create this all-out conflict, stressing that a larger war in the Middle East will not benefit anyone throughout the world. He emphasized Israel must stop its crimes in Gaza, Lebanon and the rest of the countries in order to realize security and stability in the region. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said there was no effective pressure on Israel to end the war on the Gaza Strip, warning that the escalation in Lebanon is a "mine field" that the international community could not be able to deal with. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was gravely alarmed by the escalating situation in Lebanon and the large number of civilian casualties. His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN chief noted the ongoing efforts by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to reduce tensions, and reiterated the urgent need for an immediate de-escalation and that all efforts be devoted to a diplomatic solution. The Group of Seven (G7) called for a "a stop to the current destructive cycle" that could catapult the "entire Middle East into a broader regional conflict with unimaginable consequences". "Actions and counter-reactions risk magnifying this dangerous spiral of violence," said a statement by the G7. Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned "we are almost in a full-fledged war" and called for full efforts at de-escalation during the UN General A ssembly in New York. He described the situation as very dangerous and worrying, stressing the need to exert all diplomatic efforts to prevent the outbreak of a comprehensive war. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned of "far-reaching and devastating consequences" for the entire region if Israels attacks in southern Lebanon continue to escalate. It warned that "any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences" not only on Lebanon but on "the broader region". Source: Qatar News Agency