UN Urges De-escalation as Regional Tensions Rise Amid Israeli Advance in Lebanon

(MENAFN) The United Nations has expressed cautious optimism over emerging diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the Middle East, even as officials warned that conditions on the ground are rapidly worsening due to Israel’s deeper military activity in Lebanon.

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on the situation in Lebanon, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa within the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, noted indications that urgent diplomatic engagement may be helping to ease tensions.

"We welcome reports from a short time ago today that intense diplomatic efforts may be yielding results and averting further escalation," she said.

However, she cautioned that developments in the region remain highly concerning, describing the situation as a serious escalation that threatens previously agreed understandings and undermines fragile efforts to stabilize the situation.

She stated that current events "mark a dangerous and alarming escalation, directly undermining the cessation of hostilities understanding announced by the United States on 16 April and eroding fragile diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation."

Pobee also highlighted the risk of broader regional spillover, referencing reported statements from Iran indicating potential retaliatory measures if the situation continues to deteriorate.

Pointing to those reports, she said that "in response to the situation in Lebanon, Iran will suspend dialogue with the United States, block the Strait of Hormuz and activate other fronts."

Emphasizing the urgency of restraint, she added, "We must urgently redouble efforts to avert any further escalation."

She further called for respect for Lebanese sovereignty, urging withdrawal of foreign forces operating on its territory.

"We call on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory in full respect of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.

Pobee also welcomed recent military-level discussions facilitated by the United States between Lebanese and Israeli representatives, along with planned follow-up talks, and reaffirmed the UN’s willingness to support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining a ceasefire respected by all parties.

The emergency Security Council meeting was convened at the request of France and supported by several member states, including Russia, China, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Colombia.

MENAFN02062026000045017281ID1111197833