The UN Secretary General arrived in Beirut on Friday to express solidarity with Lebanon, which is mired in a deep humanitarian and security crisis. At a time when the number of internally displaced persons has exceeded 800,000 and Israeli attacks are expanding to strategic civilian infrastructure, the head of the UN is launching an extraordinary appeal for financial aid.
The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres arrived in Beirut on Friday. He reported on the X network about his visit, which, according to him, is an expression of solidarity with the people of Lebanon, writes TASR.
- António Guterres arrived in Beirut to show solidarity with Lebanon.
- Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 800,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon.
- Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed nearly 690 civilians, including many children.
- During the visit, the UN is to launch an extraordinary financial humanitarian appeal.
- The Hezbollah movement is attacking Israel, and Israel is expanding its strikes in Lebanon.
“They did not choose this war. It was forced upon them. The UN and I will spare no effort to pursue the better future that Lebanon and the region so richly deserve,” he wrote.
An extraordinary financial challenge
According to AFP, Guterres is expected to raise awareness of the growing humanitarian needs in Lebanon, where more than 800,000 people have been displaced since the start of the war in the Middle East. Almost 690 people, including 98 children, died in the Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
The UN says an emergency fundraising appeal will be launched during the Secretary-General’s visit to Lebanon. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it needs $19 million to cover its operations for the next three months.
“Humanitarian needs are growing faster than the response,” said Mathieu Luciano, IOM’s head of mission in Lebanon.
Lebanon at war
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war this month when the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran. President Júzíf Awn immediately accused the movement of working to disintegrate the state.
Israel expanded its attacks in Lebanon on Friday, targeting several areas, including hitting a bridge over the Litani River in the country’s south, which the Israeli military said was being used by Hezbollah militants.
Hezbollah also launched new attacks against Israeli troops on Friday.
