“I think it would be unrealistic to expect to such a complex problem, long-lasting problem, could be resolved in the first session of a negotiation. So, we need negotiations to go on, and we need a ceasefire to persist as negotiations go on,” he said, responding to a question from AP on what he knew of possibilities of further talks.
The UN chief also warned of a broader erosion of global norms, saying respect for international law is being “trampled,” with civilians exposed to “intolerable harm” and humanitarian obligations disregarded.
He said even protections afforded to UN personnel were being violated, saying such a “wholesale assault on international law” will have far-reaching consequences. At least three UN peacekeepers have died in Lebanon in the war as of March 30, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Guterres urged all parties to exercise restraint, preserve the ceasefire and respect international navigation rights, including in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also stressed that international law applies to all states without exception, ahead of a planned visit to The Hague to mark the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice.
Addressing tensions involving Israel and Lebanon, Guterres said talks were unlikely to resolve issues immediately but could help shift dynamics.
“Hezbollah and Israel have always helped each other to destabilise the Government of Lebanon,” he said.
“Whenever Israel occupies part of the territory of Lebanon, that is the pretext that Hezbollah uses to say, ‘We cannot disarm. We must keep the resistance.’”
“Whenever Hezbollah sends rockets against Israel, even after having promised that they wouldn’t do it, Israel immediately uses that pretext for this massive operation against Lebanon.”
He added that Lebanon’s government remains committed to maintaining territorial integrity and securing a monopoly over the use of force, including the disarmament of Hezbollah.
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