UN Security Council holds emergency session: Will the war in the Middle East escalate?

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an 'emergency session' due to the detonation of communication devices and radios in Lebanon and the rapidly escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

At the session, which was requested by Algeria, warnings were issued regarding the risk that the attacks on Lebanon could trigger a regional war.

Briefing member states, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo stated, 'The risk of an expansion of the spiral of violence is very serious and poses a major threat to the stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the entire region.'

UN TO HOLD TALKS WITH ISRAEL

DiCarlo reported that the rising tension along the 'Blue Line' following the attacks in Lebanon on September 17-18, where devices were detonated, is alarming, and that the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, will travel to Israel next week for consultations.

Reminding that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also on high alert due to the increasing risk and has called on all parties to exercise restraint, DiCarlo said, 'I strongly urge countries with influence over the parties to use it.'

Warning that if the current trajectory is not halted, the pain and destruction encountered will be far greater than today, DiCarlo said, 'It is not too late to stop this madness. There is still room for diplomacy and it must be used without delay.'

Following the successive pager and radio explosions in Lebanon, 12 people have died so far. More than 2000 people were also injured in the attacks.

US CLAIMS IT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS

US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood, noting that all parties should avoid actions that would drag the region into a horrific war while details about the attacks are being determined, stated, 'The United States played no role in these incidents.'

Noting that the UNSC should not ignore the root cause of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Wood expressed that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Wood stated that the US continues to believe that a diplomatic solution is possible.

'THE ATTACKS ARE WAR CRIMES'

Algeria's Permanent Representative to the UN Amar Bendjama said that his country is in full solidarity with Lebanon during these difficult times.

Stating that 'The attacks in question are war crimes,' Bendjama noted that the Israeli attacks created fear among civilians and that densely populated areas were targeted.

Bendjama issued the warning, 'Turning civilian devices into bombs is a huge threat and opens a dangerous Pandora's box.'

Pointing out that the attacks came after threats of a comprehensive war against Lebanon by Israeli officials, Bendjama expressed that this is a clear indication that Israel does not want peace.

CHINA ACCUSES ISRAEL OF BEING 'OBSESSED WITH USING FORCE'

China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

Stating, 'We call on Israel to rid itself of its obsession with using excessive force,' Fu emphasized that Israel must end its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.

Fu pointed out that Israel's adventurism is dragging the region into a horrific catastrophe and requested that countries with influence over Tel Aviv take concrete steps.

RUSSIA BLAMES THE US FOR ISRAEL'S ATTACKS

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia expressed that they consider the attacks on Lebanon to be a 'terrorist attack.'

Stating that 'The reason for the attacks is the fake diplomacy of the US administration,' Nebenzia said that Israel is trying to start a new 'Middle East war.'

'ISRAEL DISREGARDS INTERNATIONAL LAW'

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said, 'These attacks have no precedent in the history of war.'

Stating that Israel made a statement on social media following the attacks and later deleted it, Bou Habib declared, 'With this terrorist attack, Israel has violated the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.'

Bou Habib emphasized that Israel continues to commit violations because it has never had to account for its crimes.

Expressing that this should not be allowed to become the status quo, Bou Habib assessed, 'Israel cannot survive in the East without achieving peace with the peoples of the region. This will happen by granting the Palestinian people their legitimate rights and their state, which were promised to them by this organization 75 years ago.'

Bou Habib stated that if the UNSC does not force Israel to end its attacks, it will witness a 'very large explosion.'

Expressing that this explosion would affect both the east and the west and take the whole world back to the Middle Ages, Bou Habib said, 'You have war in front of you and UNSC resolutions in your drawers. The choice is yours. You have to make a choice between peace or fire.'

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib

News Source: AA