On the 25th, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres delivered a statement to the media on the Middle East situation, urging the United States and Israel to end the war with Iran and also calling on Iran to stop attacking its neighbors.
He pointed out that Arnaud has been appointed as his personal envoy, responsible for leading the United Nations' work in responding to this conflict and its consequences.
He stated that the message conveyed to the US and Israel is: The humanitarian suffering caused by the war is intensifying, civilian casualties are continuing to rise, and the impact on the global economy is increasingly devastating. It is time to end the war.
He emphasized that Iran's neighbors are not parties to this conflict. The message delivered to Iran is: Stop attacking your neighbors.
Guterres also stressed that the hostilities in Lebanon must cease, saying, "The Gaza model must never be repeated in Lebanon."
He said that he has been in close contact with many people from the region and around the world. Multiple initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and peace are being actively advanced.
He stated that the United Nations system is making every possible effort to mitigate the dire consequences of this war. The best way to minimize these consequences is to immediately end the war. War is not the answer. The way out of this catastrophe lies in diplomacy, in full respect for international law, and in peace.
Arnaud is a senior French diplomat who has previously served as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Colombia, Afghanistan, Burundi, and other countries.