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'
Thank you, Madame President,
Please allow me to congratulate Switzerland on the assumption of the Presidency and to thank Slovenia for their successfully Presidency.
I also thank the Secretary-General for his sobering briefing on the urgent and rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, including Lebanon and express Guyana’s full support to him, including for his untiring efforts.
Madame President,
The situation in the Middle East is barreling towards a greater catastrophe. Israel continues to expand its military operations to Lebanon, while continuing its intense offensive in Gaza, and we are now witnessing a dangerous escalation of attacks between Israel and Iran.
Amidst the deadly tit-for-tat, tensions continue to ratchet up on multiple fronts, and the entire region ticks as a virtual time bomb before our very eyes. Guyana urges all parties to step back and to immediately end all hostilities.
This Council must act as one, on the side of peace and respect for international law and the United Nations Charter. We must work to de-escalate the situation, and civilians must be protected on all fronts and at all times.
Madame President,
When we met last week to discuss Lebanon, it was clear to every member of this Council that disastrous consequences could ensue from a wider armed conflict in that country. Today we are meeting amidst reports of ground incursions by Israel into the sovereign territory of Lebanon in violation of the UN Charter and resolution 1701, and following aerial bombardments from Southern Lebanon to the heart of Beirut, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths in the past two weeks alone, not to mention the thousands injured and displaced.
Guyana calls on Israel to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and the wider body of international law, including international humanitarian law.
Madame President,
The people of Lebanon should be spared from the throes of a war neither of their making nor choosing, even as the country continues to grapple with difficult economic and political circumstance. This Council must act in the interest of international peace and security to prevent further tragedy in Lebanon, Gaza and throughout the Middle East.
Allow me to conclude with three urgent appeals.
First, Guyana reiterates its call to all parties to immediately cease the hostilities and to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular, the protection of civilians. We must intensify efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, in Lebanon, and every other front of operations.
This Council must use all of its available tools to contribute to a diplomatic solution and to the full implementation of resolution 1701 which provides a clear path for resolving this conflict, in a manner that ensures that peace and security can be enjoyed by the people of both Lebanon and Israel.
Second, we appeal to all parties to guarantee the safety and security of all UN and humanitarian personnel, including those attached to UNIFIL. As is the case with all UN personnel, UNIFIL has operated under extremely difficult circumstances over the past year and is undoubtedly being placed in a position of much greater risk as hostilities heighten in their area of operations. We must work to ensure that conditions remain conducive for the exercise by UNIFIL of its important mandate.
Third, Guyana appeals for a renewed investment in peace over aggression. Let us enable the former at the expense of the latter as we strive to save the present generation from the continuing scourge of war.
As Council members, let us act together in favour of the millions of civilians who are paying the heaviest price in these senseless wars. Justice and peace demand that we do no less.
I thank you.
