New York [US], September 25: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told world leaders on Tuesday that Lebanon must not "become another Gaza," after Israeli airstrikes against the Hezbollah militia group killed more than 550 people there.
"Lebanon is at the brink," he said at the opening of the UN's annual high-level debate week in New York, which brings together world leaders from across the globe.
"The people of Lebanon - the people of Israel - and the people of the world - cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza," he said.
Guterres, who has repeatedly criticized the conduct of the Israeli military in Gaza, said he now fears Lebanon is heading toward a Gaza-like level of destruction.
"The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as secretary general," he continued. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza puts the death toll after nearly a year of Israeli attacks at more than 40,000. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
US President Joe Biden also warned against a further intensification of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
A "full-scale war is not in anyone's interest," Biden told the UN gathering.
"Even as the situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible," he said.
Biden also used his final speech as president at the annual high-level UN meeting to again condemn the October attack by Hamas on the Jewish state.
But he also acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's massive response and the violence committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
"I put forward with Qatar and Egypt a ceasefire and hostage deal," he said of the US plan to halt the fighting in Gaza.
"It's been endorsed by the UN Security Council. Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home and secure security for Israel and Gaza."
Source: Qatar Tribune