UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned global leaders on Tuesday that Lebanon is “on the brink” following a series of deadly Israeli strikes that have killed over 550 people.
Addressing the escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Guterres cautioned against allowing Lebanon to turn into “another Gaza.”
Speaking at the opening of the UN’s annual assembly, Guterres emphasized the broader regional risks posed by the ongoing war, stating, “Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to engulf the entire region. Look no further than Lebanon.”
The UN chief condemned both the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7 and the collective punishment of Palestinians, stressing the need to uphold international law. He pointed to Lebanon’s fragile state and warned of further destabilization, saying, “The people of Lebanon, Israel, and the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
Guterres also highlighted global challenges such as inequality, impunity, and the uncertainty posed by issues like climate change and artificial intelligence, stressing the urgency of action.
He called for increased climate financing from wealthy nations ahead of the COP29 meeting in November, warning that the world is on track to exceed the critical 1.5-degree Celsius temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement.
