UN chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday condemned Iran’s missile attack against Israel, following criticism by Israel that he hadn’t specifically called out Tehran when he initially condemned the “broadening conflict.”
“As should have been obvious yesterday in the context of the condemnation I expressed,” Secretary-General Guterres told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, “I again strongly condemn yesterday’s massive missile attacks by Iran on Israel.”
Guterres called for an end to the “sickening cycle of escalation” in the Middle East, where conflict is raging between Israel, Iran and its allies, Hezbollah and Hamas.
“It is high time to stop the sickening cycle of escalation after escalation that is leading the people of the Middle East straight over the cliff,” the UN chief said. “This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop.”
United States Representative to the UN Security Council Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned Iran against targeting it or Israel.
“Let me be clear, the Iranian regime will be held responsible for its actions. And we strongly warn against Iran – or its proxies – taking actions against the United States, or further actions against Israel,” she said.
Lebanon’s Representative to the UN Security Council Hadi Hashem condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon saying “everything Israel said about conducting limited military operations is false, the damage incurred on Lebanese civilians is significant.”
Hashem also touched on the Lebanese government’s readiness to engage in ending hostilities, stating that “the people and government of Lebanon reject war, and demand implementation of resolution 1701, and are ready to strengthen military presence in the South.”
With AFP
