STATEMENT BY
H.E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. President,
I thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his important briefing on a tragically escalating situation.
Following the indiscriminate explosions of communication devices in Lebanon a few days ago, reportedly killing 37 people and injuring at least 2,931 people, the UN Secretary-General and most Council members expressed deep concerns about the dramatic escalation of tit-for-tat attacks and the build-up to large-scale aerial attacks.
Over the last two days, it has been reported that Israel carried out more than 800 attacks on about 1,600 Hezbollah targets into Southern Beirut, Eastern Bekaa Valley and other areas of South Lebanon. Hezbollah also has claimed to have launched more than 300 rockets against military bases in Haifa and other areas deep into Northern Israel.
This dangerous escalation of the situation has resulted in the death of at least 579 people, including 50 children and 94 women, with about 1,500 more injured and 16,500 people displaced. It is also reported that Hezbollah rocket and missiles fired into Northern Israel caused damage to civilian areas and injured few people.
Sierra Leone expresses grave concern for the safety of civilians and cautions parties to the conflict that the deliberate targeting of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure, is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. We therefore urge the parties to the conflict to desist from the indiscriminate bombing of communities and to protect civilians. Sierra Leone calls for both parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and we further stress the urgent need for immediate de-escalation.
We remain concerned over the impact of missile strikes on UNIFIL positions and injuries to peacekeepers. We condemn all acts that endanger the lives of peacekeepers. We urge all parties to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises.
Mr. President,
As we take note with concern the dangerous rhetoric relating to the achievement of respective military objectives by the conflicting party, we reiterate that military action is not a solution for achieving their stated objectives. Sierra Leone therefore calls on the parties to use diplomatic channels including the United Nations’ good offices, to avoid further escalation and the risk of all-out war or a wider, devastating regional conflagration.
As the region grapples with the war in Gaza and the dire humanitarian crisis, we reject actions that may jeopardize the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas and threaten regional and global peace and security. We call on countries in the region and elsewhere with influence to prevail upon both parties to desist from further attacks over the Blue Line and elsewhere.
Escalation of attacks or an all-out war is in no one’s interest. The impact of a full-blown conflict on the Lebanese people and economy would be completely devastating. As we noted previously, the people of Lebanon have already gone through a lengthy and destructive war, and periods of fragility. This Council must do all it can to prevent a reoccurrence. We must heed the call made by the Secretary-General and world leaders at the UNGA 79 General Debate to prevent this conflict from escalating.
Mr. President,
The potential humanitarian devastation of Lebanon is already becoming apparent. The Director of Save the Children Lebanon reports that children in Lebanon, especially those from the south who have been living with cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah for the past years, are ”terrified by the sound of drones and fighter jets over their heads… and feel as though they can never be safe again.”
UNICEF officials in Lebanon have also noted that more children died this past Monday, than throughout the entire past year. Schools and universities across the county have been shut down and are already being used as temporary shelters.
We welcome efforts by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon(Imran Riza), who has already met with Lebanese Government officials, including the Prime Minister and Minister of Environment, and other UN humanitarian agencies in planning a coordinated aid response, including the activation of an emergency operations centre and identification of schools to be designated as shelters.
We urge for timely provision of the US$50 million that humanitarian agencies have requested to preposition basic needs – such as food and shelter supplies – for an immediate response for the next few weeks.
In conclusion, Sierra Leone continues to call for the parties to consider the regional implications of their actions and to recommit to a cessation of hostilities. At this juncture, the priorities for the Security Council and regional stakeholders should be implementation of a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza, the release of hostages, and prisoners, facilitation of access to humanitarian aid, and the commencement of the implementation of the ‘two-state solution’ for Israel and Palestine.
