UN chief Antonio Guterres urges Israel and Hezbollah to cease fire as Lebanon war displaces over 800,000 and death toll rises

BEIRUT: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Israel and Hezbollah to “stop the war” at the start of a visit to Beirut, saying it was “no longer the time of armed groups”.

“My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war and… allow Lebanon to become a country independent… where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force,” Guterres said from the presidential palace, as Lebanon entered its 11th day of war.

“This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states.”

The UN will launch an urgent humanitarian fundraiser Friday to assist the more than 800,000 people registered as displaced in Lebanon.

Guterres arrived in Beirut Friday for what he called a “solidarity” visit as the war in Lebanon claimed more than 687 lives since March 2, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

He noted that the war erupted as Muslims celebrate Ramadan and Christians observe Lent, saying it should have been a time of peace.

“Unfortunately, Lebanon was dragged into a war that is not a war that its people would be willing to have.”

 The Sun Malaysia