United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the announcement of a 45-day extension to the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, emphasizing the global body's commitment to ending the conflict and easing the burden on affected populations.
The extension follows a third round of peace talks held in Washington, which began last Thursday. According to the Lebanese delegation, an agreement was reached between Lebanon, the United States, and Israel to prolong the ceasefire deadline by another 45 days. This move is aimed at alleviating the suffering of communities living along the Blue Line, the border demarcation established by the UN in 2000.
However, the diplomatic breakthrough has been overshadowed by continued violence. On the same day the extension was announced, Israeli forces launched multiple airstrikes on southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 12 deaths and leaving dozens more injured.
The scale of the crisis remains severe. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported on Friday that Israeli attacks since March 2 have claimed the lives of 2,969 people and wounded another 9,112, underscoring the volatility of the region despite ongoing negotiations.
In a statement released by his press office, Secretary-General Guterres urged all actors to fully respect the cessation of hostilities and cease any further attacks. He stressed the importance of complying with international law, including international humanitarian law, to ensure the safety of civilians and the stability of the region.
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UN chief welcomes 45-day extension of Lebanon-Israel ceasefire
cgtn.com
