UN Chief Guterres Calls for Israel–Hezbollah Ceasefire, Urges Restoration of Lebanon’s Sovereignty

Beirut, March 2026 : António Guterres on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, stressing the urgent need to restore stability, sovereignty and peace in Lebanon.

Speaking after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, the UN chief said he had come to the country “as a friend of the Lebanese people in full solidarity.”

According to a statement released by the United Nations Information Centre, Guterres expressed regret that Lebanon had been drawn into a conflict that its people did not want.

“Unfortunately, Lebanon was dragged into a war that is not a war that its people would be willing to have,” Guterres said, expressing hope that his next visit to the country would be to “a Lebanon in peace,” where the state exercises sole authority over the use of force and the country’s territorial integrity is respected.

He emphasised that the current moment calls for stronger state institutions rather than armed groups. “This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states,” he said.

President Aoun, during the meeting, highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict. He said that more than 800,000 people have been displaced due to the escalation in hostilities and called for urgent international support to address their needs.

Aoun also urged an end to Israeli military strikes and appealed for greater global assistance as Lebanon navigates what he described as a critical phase for the country’s security and stability.

The conflict has also dealt a severe blow to Lebanon’s already fragile economy. Mohammad Choucair said commercial activity in the country has sharply declined since the escalation began.

Citing data from professional syndicates and economic associations, Choucair said overall commercial production has dropped by nearly 50 per cent. Sales of non-essential goods have fallen even more dramatically, plunging by between 60 and 80 per cent.

Industrial and agricultural production have also been significantly affected. According to Choucair, industrial output has declined by about 50 per cent, while agricultural production has contracted by around 40 per cent due to the shutdown of several production facilities and disruptions in exports to Gulf countries.

The tourism sector has been hit particularly hard. Hotel occupancy rates have fallen to just 10–15 per cent, while restaurant activity has declined by nearly 90 per cent. Travel agencies have reported an 80 per cent drop in business as visitors cancel or postpone trips to the country.

Choucair warned that if the conflict continues for an extended period, hundreds of businesses may be forced to shut down, potentially leaving thousands of Lebanese without jobs and deepening the nation’s economic and social crisis.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified since the launch of US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The escalation has seen Hezbollah launch rocket attacks on northern Israeli areas, while Israeli forces have targeted locations in southern and eastern Lebanon believed to house Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

According to the World Health Organization, the conflict has so far resulted in at least 634 deaths and 1,586 injuries in Lebanon.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)