UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned member states on Tuesday about the risk of Lebanon becoming “another Gaza” amid rising tensions with Israel.
Speaking at the opening of the 79th UN General Assembly at the organization’s New York headquarters, Guterres described the current global situation as an “epic transformation,” emphasizing the unprecedented challenges facing the world that require collective solutions. He noted that geopolitical divisions are deepening, and the scale of violence and destruction in Gaza is unprecedented during his tenure as secretary-general, with over 200 UN staff members losing their lives, many alongside their families.
Guterres compared the current global disorder to the more structured tensions of the Cold War, stating that while that era had rules, including hotlines and red lines, today’s world is in a “purgatory of polarity” where many nations act without accountability due to a lack of stable international order.
He highlighted the urgent need for reform in institutions like the UN Security Council and the global financial system, pointing out that the council was established by the victors of World War II, leaving most African nations without a permanent seat. He lamented that those in positions of political and economic power often resist change.
Addressing the issues of global warming and the unpredictability of ongoing wars, Guterres warned of the dangers posed by nuclear posturing and new weaponry, stating that the world is edging closer to a catastrophic situation.
He emphasized two critical realities: the current state of affairs is “unsustainable,” and the challenges faced by the world are “solvable.” Guterres condemned the widespread impunity with which some governments operate, disregarding international laws and human rights conventions, enabling actions that devastate societies without consequence.
Regarding the Middle East, he described the situation in Gaza as a “non-stop nightmare” that could destabilize the entire region, particularly pointing to Lebanon, which he noted is on the brink. He urged that both the people of Lebanon and Israel, as well as the global community, cannot afford to see Lebanon fall into a similar fate as Gaza.
Guterres denounced the collective punishment of Palestinians, reiterated his call for an immediate cease-fire, and emphasized the necessity of pursuing a two-state solution.
