UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council Saturday that the Middle East is “on the brink” of a full-scale conflict. In the backdrop of Iran’s attack on Israel, Guterres said that the Middle East is “confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict” and called for “maximum restraint” from Security Council member nations.
Guterres was speaking at an emergency meeting of the Security Council convened at the request of Israel following Iran’s attack on Friday.
“The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint,” he said.
“It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. Civilians are already bearing the brunt and paying the highest price. And we have a shared responsibility to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation.
“As the Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 states, acts of reprisal involving the use of force are barred under international law. We have a shared responsibility to secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
