Middle East: "Region on the brink of an all-out war" - DPPA Briefing | United Nations

Remarks by Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, on the situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 9746th meeting.

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The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that “the devastating conflict in Lebanon, coupled with intensified strikes in Syria and the raging violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, points to a region dangerously teetering on the brink of an all-out war” and said, “our collective inability to stop the violence and stem the bloodshed is damning.”

DiCarlo said, “Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups must stop firing rockets and missiles into Israel. We urge Israel to stop its bombardment of Lebanon and to withdraw its ground forces. The parties must seize the diplomatic options put on the table before them, not the weapons by their side.”

She urged the parties to commit to a return to a cessation of hostilities, and the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006).

DiCarlo said, “the Lebanese state must have control over all weapons within its territory. We see what happens when it does not. The political impasse for the election of a president is approaching two years. At this time of crisis, I urge Lebanon’s political leaders to take resolute steps towards addressing the vacuum.”

She added, “the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Lebanon and Israel must be respected.”