UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, March 14, 2026. Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, warning that escalating violence risks devastating large parts of the country. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua)
BEIRUT, March 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, warning that escalating violence risks devastating large parts of the country.
Speaking at a press conference, Guterres said the UN is working intensively through diplomatic channels to halt the fighting and bring the parties back to dialogue.
"We are doing everything we can now to bring about an immediate de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities," he said, noting that the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, is engaging with all actors "around the clock" to bring the parties to the negotiating table.
Guterres stressed that there is "no military solution" to the conflict and urged the parties to stop the fighting and return to diplomacy and dialogue in line with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1701.
Guterres also reiterated calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and stressed the need to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's Public Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks in the country since March 2 has risen to 826, with 2,009 people wounded.
According to the ministry's Emergency Operations Center, the number of health workers killed rose to 31 after missing personnel were found under the rubble of a primary healthcare center in southern Lebanon, which was hit in an Israeli strike early Saturday.
Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched an offensive military campaign against the group, carrying out intensive airstrikes on multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut's southern suburbs. ■
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, March 14, 2026.
Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, warning that escalating violence risks devastating large parts of the country. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C) speaks at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, March 14, 2026.
Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, warning that escalating violence risks devastating large parts of the country. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua)
