UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told world leaders on Tuesday that Lebanon was “at the brink” and warned against allowing the country to turn into “another Gaza,” a day after Israeli strikes killed more than 550 people there.
“Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it. Look no further than Lebanon,” Guterres said at the opening of the UN’s annual gathering as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group, threatened to plunge the region into all-out war.
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“We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
War featured prominently in the UN chief’s remarks, with references to Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, and other ongoing conflicts.
“Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7, or the taking of hostages — both of which I have repeatedly condemned,” said the 75-year-old former prime minister of Portugal.
“And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he continued.
