UNITED NATIONS, July 31 — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged regional de-escalation in the Middle East in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all. “The secretary-general believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Teheran represent a dangerous escalation at a moment in which all efforts should instead be leading to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, a massive increase of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and a return to calm in Lebanon and across the Blue Line,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, in a statement. “Rather than that, what we are seeing are efforts to undermine these goals,” said Dujarric.
Guterres has consistently called for maximum restraint by all, and it is increasingly clear, however, that restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time, the spokesman said. “The secretary-general urges all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all,” he noted, urging the international community to work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians. “The way to do so is by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional de-escalation,” Dujarric said.
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