New York, United States - October 02, 2024

The 15-member United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the Middle East situation on Wednesday, calling for efforts to prevent the Lebanon-Israel conflict from engulfing the whole region.

Addressing the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno, emphasizing the need to avoid a all-out war in Lebanon which would have profound and devastating consequences.

The UN chief noted that it is high time for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.

Since October of last year, more than 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon, including over 100 children and 194 women, with over 346,000 others being displaced from their homes, according to Guterres's briefing at the meeting.

Lebanon's representative Hadi Hachem said the Israeli ''claims of a limited surgical military operation'' are untrue, noting Israeli forces flagrantly violated the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, international law, and all international rules and humanitarian principles.

Also at the meeting, Israel and Iran threatened each other with retaliation if attacked.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent actions to de-escalate the Lebanese-Israeli situation as the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

He said that under the current circumstances, the Security Council must take urgent actions and be united in making clear and unequivocal demands: an immediate ceasefire must be established in Gaza; the de-escalation of the Lebanese-Israeli situation must be advanced to stop the cycle of violence; every effort must be made to prevent the spread of the fighting; and the parties concerned must return to the track of political and diplomatic solutions.

The Chinese envoy noted that the conflict has caused an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, with Gaza having become "a hell on Earth." It has resulted in massive destruction of civilian facilities, and thousands of casualties.

Fu called on all the parties to the conflict to respect the red lines of international humanitarian law and earnestly ensure the protection of civilians.

Warning that the current situation is "hanging by a thread," Fu said any passive procrastination would be irresponsible and any rhetoric of condoning further military adventurism would send a wrong message and cause serious consequences.

The Chinese side hopes major countries with influence will adopt a sincere and responsible attitude and earnestly play a constructive role to avoid further escalation of the situation, he said.

Since Sept 23, the Israeli army has been launching an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Shotlist:
UN Headquarters, New York City - Oct 2, 2024:
1. United Nations Security Council holding emergency session on Lebanon-Israel conflict;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
"Each escalation has served as a pretext for the next. We must never lose sight of the tremendous toll that this growing conflict is taking on civilians. We cannot look away from systematic violations of international humanitarian law. This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop. Time is running out.";
3. Envoys from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon at meeting;
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to UN (ending with shot 5):
"Those who attack us will face serious consequences. For every missile fired, we will respond with strength.";
5. Iran's Permanent Representative to UN Amir Saeid Iravani at meeting;
6. Amir Saeid Iravani speaking;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent representative to UN:
"Iran is fully prepared to take further defensive measures, if necessary, to protect its legitimate interests and defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty against any acts of military aggression and the illegal use of force. In this regard, Iran will have no hesitation.";
8. Envoys from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon at meeting;
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to UN:
"At present, a full-scale war is imminent. At this critical moment, any inflammatory remarks and provocative actions are extremely dangerous and can easily lead to misjudgments and chain reactions, escalating the situation and even completely getting it out of control. We urge all parties, especially Israel, to exercise restraint and avoid taking any actions that may further escalate the situation.";
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 27, 2024
10. Various of smoke rising after airstrikes;
Lebanon - Recent
11. Various of rescuers, machines working to clear debris from destroyed buildings;
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 24, 2024
12. Entrance to temporary residence center;
13. Various of displaced residents.

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