The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on Wednesday, 25th March, warned that the war in the Middle East has spiralled ‘out of control’ and urged an immediate halt to hostilities. He called on Iran to halt attacking its neighbors while urging the U.S. and Israel to end the war. He further stressed that diplomacy remains the only way out of the crisis. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, he added that the conflict has exceeded even the worst expectations. As such, it risks triggering a global catastrophe. Guterres added that just hours into the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, I warned that fighting risked triggering a chain reaction that would be uncontainable. The conflict has spiralled out of control after more than three weeks. he conflict has broken past the limits even leaders thought were unimaginable.
The world is currently staring down the barrel of a wider war. It is a rising tide of human suffering, besides a deeper global economic shock. Guterres added that his message to Iran was to stop attacking its neighbors. He added that the UN Security Council has condemned such attacks, demanding that they immediately end. This is while reaffirming that navigational rights and freedoms must be respected on key maritime routes. This includes the Strait of Hormuz. The prolonged closure of the Strait is choking the movement of crude oil, gas and fertilizer. This comes at a critical period in the global planting season, he added. Guterres opined that his message to the United States and Israel is that it’s high time to end the war as human suffering deepens. Also, civilian casualties mount, with the global economic impact being increasingly devastating.
Whilst declaring that this has gone too far, Guterres commented that it is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder. Instead, he agreed to climb the diplomatic ladder. Also, to return to full respect of international law. He opined that he has remained in close contact with regional and global actors. This is because of several peace initiatives being undertaken that were expected to succeed. The UN Chief announced the appointment of Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to steer efforts to address the conflict and its consequences. Guterres highlighted the severe humanitarian toll across the region. He was of the view that civilians were bearing the brunt of the violence.
Following a recent visit to Lebanon, he warned that the situation there should not deteriorate any further. He insisted that the war had to cease, even in Lebanon. Hezbollah must halt launching attacks into Israel. Likewise, Israel must stop its military operations and strikes in Lebanon as these attacks are causing untold misery to civilians. He was also of the view that the Gaza model should not be replicated in Lebanon. Guterres warned of mounting global repercussions. This is with markets in turmoil, and humanitarian operations being increasingly constrained. On every front, the shockwaves are falling the hardest on those who bear no responsibility for this conflict. That the poorest who are the most vulnerable, besides being the least able to absorb yet another blow, he added.
While the UN system is working to mitigate the fallout, the best way to minimize those consequences is clear. That is to end the war immediately, he added. War was never the answer. We have to find a way to extricate ourselves from this disaster. A diplomatic solution is the only viable option. This is with full respect of international law being the way out. The only way out is certainly peace. So the conflict continues to unfold, the UN chief’s warning serves as a sobering reminder. This is one of the stakes involved. With tensions mounting at a critical juncture, the choices made in the coming days and weeks could determine the future of the Middle East. This is not forgetting the stability of the international order.
