UN expresses serious concern around escalated clashes along Lebanon-Israel frontier
(MENAFN) The United Nations has expressed serious concerns regarding escalated clashes along the Lebanon-Israel frontier, commonly referred to as the Blue Line. The world body highlighted mounting tensions following increased exchanges of fire between Lebanese and Israeli forces, which intensified on Thursday. These developments have raised fears of a potential full-scale war, as stated in a communication from the office of the UN Secretary-General's spokesperson.
Emphasizing the imperative of restraint, the UN underscored the need to avoid escalation, stating, "Escalation can and must be avoided. We reiterate that the danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflagration is real." The note stressed that a political and diplomatic solution remains the sole viable path forward to diffuse the situation.
Simultaneously, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, engaged with key Lebanese officials such as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday. Discussions centered on the urgent necessity for de-escalation along the Blue Line, underlining the gravity of the situation.
The UN's statement also echoed calls from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a renewed commitment to Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution, adopted in August 2006, aimed to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire shortly after a month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended in a fragile truce.
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