Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council Briefing on 'The Situation in the Middle East' (Israel airstrikes on Iran)

Thank you, Madam President, 

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing and acknowledge the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Iran, Israel, Iraq and Syria in today's meeting. 

Madam President, 

Guyana is alarmed at the escalating tensions in the Middle East. We have noted the reports indicating that at least five persons were killed in Saturday’s attack launched by Israel on the territory of Iran.  

We urge all parties in the Middle East to step back from the brink and to resist the temptation of tit for tat retaliatory action that embroils the entire region in a cycle of violence, suffering and pain.  Any further attacks could have catastrophic consequences, including the loss of more innocent lives and further destabilisation of the region. 

The world cannot afford a wider conflict, and the people in the Middle East certainly cannot either. We call on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and avoid a broader conflagration.

Madam President,

Members of this Council have repeatedly sounded the alarm about the possibility of a regional spillover of the ongoing war in Gaza. Sadly, that spillover is now a reality. We are all painfully aware of the grave humanitarian consequences of Israel’s war on Gaza, the brutality of which has violated every tenet of international law, including international humanitarian law. We must do everything to prevent any further expansion of military conflict in the region and avoid even more suffering and destruction being brought upon the people of the region.  Immediate and decisive action is needed now, by this Council, to prevent a further escalation. 

Madam President,

Guyana reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for all parties to commit to dialogue and peace. We also call on both Israel and Iran to fully comply with their obligations under international law and relevant resolutions adopted by this Council. We further call on the two parties to uphold the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, to adhere fully to international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, and to settle their differences peacefully. The consequences of the actions that are taken today, will be felt for generations by the men, women and children that are legally owed their protection. 

I thank you.