UNITED NATIONS, Jun 11 (APP):Civilians and civilian infrastructure have come under attack in multiple countries in the Gulf region, driving up energy prices and disrupting supply chains, making fertilizers more costly, hunger more prevalent and pushing up inflation and piling on debt, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday. “Even in the best-case scenario, these shocks will be felt for many months – with developing countries bearing the …
‘Lesser-fire’ in Persian Gulf region must become complete ceasefire: UN chief
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 11 (APP):Civilians and civilian infrastructure have come under attack in multiple countries in the Gulf region, driving up energy prices and disrupting supply chains, making fertilizers more costly, hunger more prevalent and pushing up inflation and piling on debt, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.
“Even in the best-case scenario, these shocks will be felt for many months – with developing countries bearing the heaviest impacts,” he warned at a high-level debate on advancing political solutions in the Middle East, amid continuing conflicts, humanitarian emergencies and concerns over regional stability.
“The world needs to see a complete ceasefire – with navigational rights and freedoms restored, in line with international law and Security Council resolution 2817 and serious negotiations on the nuclear issues – ensuring that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful,” he stressed.
It’s time to explore a new security architecture for the Persian Gulf, he said, based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, non-interference in their internal affairs, and enhanced multilateral cooperation.
“I call on all parties to honour the ceasefire and redouble efforts to reach a lasting agreement,” he said, thanking Pakistan for its active mediation and welcoming “the important contributions of Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye”.
“The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis – and the consequences reach far beyond the region,” the UN chief warned.
He stressed the need to address the root cause of wider regional instability – the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is marked by daily violence and massive suffering in Gaza. And the Israeli Government is declaring its intent to seize 70 per cent of the Strip.
“It’s time to get serious about the only credible way forward”, Guterres said, urging “this Council to put its full weight behind the two-State solution… There is no alternative. And there is no time to waste.”
The United Nations will continue to provide technical expertise and operational support in preventing and resolving disputes, drawing on its decades of experience in this arena.
“My good offices and the Charter’s tools for the pacific settlement of disputes are always at your service,” he affirmed.
On Lebanon, the UN chief pointed to the impact of serious escalation since March as Israel has intensified as its operations in Lebanese territory and Hizbullah fired deeper into Israel – entire communities uprooted; extensive demolition of homes and civilian infrastructure; the forced displacement of over a million civilians and the killing of seven UN peacekeepers – including one last week.
“I fully supported a monopoly on weapons by the Lebanese Government,” he said, urging a comprehensive settlement based on Council resolution 1701 starting with a comprehensive ceasefire respected by both sides and commending the United States for facilitating talks.
“And I urge a continued United Nations uniformed presence following the departure of UNIFIL – as proposed last week in my letter to this Council,” he stressed.
