UN Security Council meets after ‘bloodiest day in a generation’ in Lebanon
The secretary-general described Monday as the bloodiest day in a generation in Lebanon. But the whole point of this meeting, which was urgently convened at the request of France, is to establish some kind of consensus as to a way forward.
The United States made it clear it still continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself, as it puts it.
The one notable point though, in what was said is that the US is working on a proposal with other parties designed to bring this conflict to an end. We may hear more about that in the hours ahead.
We also heard from the US that, basically, Hezbollah is to blame for this ongoing conflict because of its attacks on Israel. But the Russian deputy ambassador earlier on made clearer the timeline of events that led to the crisis in Lebanon, making very clear that it all began with Israel’s war in Gaza.
Well it all began with the Balfour declaration in 1917 leading to the one-sided UN partition plan in 1947 while the indigenous people were already being massacred and displaced under UK occupation.
Israel envoy: Diplomacy on Lebanon preferred, but we’ll use ‘all means’ necessary
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations says his country is open to a diplomatic solution on Lebanon but promised to use “all means” in its goal of stopping Hezbollah attacks on civilians in the north.
“We are grateful for all those who are making a sincere effort with diplomacy to avoid escalation, to avoid a full war,” Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said.
But he added if negotiations fail: “We will use all means at our disposal, in accordance with international law, to achieve our aims.”
Danon said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive on Thursday and address the UN General Assembly on Friday.
That ship has sailed long ago, sunk to the bottom and covered with sand. Your interpretation of international law is, Israel can do no wrong.
Israel ‘spreading terror’ in Lebanon, PM tells UN Security Council
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has told an emergency meeting of the UNSC that Israel “is spreading terror and fear among the Lebanese citizens in full view of the world”.
“Israel is violating our sovereignty by sending their warplanes and drones to our skies,” he said. “Hundreds of civilians lost their life within a few days. Hospitals are overwhelmed, unable to accept more injured.”
“Lebanon is today victim of an electronic cyber aggression and of an air and maritime aggression that can turn into a ground aggression and can become an all-out regional war,” Mikati warned the council, before imploring its 15 members to respond.
“I hope to come back to my country armed with your explicit stance calling for the cessation of this aggression and for the respect of the sovereignty and safety of my country,” he said.
‘Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon,’ warns UN secretary-general
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the burgeoning conflict in Lebanon after days of deadly Israeli attacks.
The UN chief said Lebanon cannot become another Gaza and an all-out war must be avoided “at all costs”. “I implore the Council to work in lockstep to help put out this fire. The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities,” Guterres said.
“Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. The safety and security of all UN assets must be ensured. International law must be respected,” he said.
“To all sides, let’s say in one clear voice: Stop the killing and destruction, tone down the rhetoric and threats, and step back from the brink,” he added.
To the UN, for once do your fucking job.
