UN leader Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel during his Beirut visit Friday. Post-meeting with President Joseph Aoun, he stressed restoring order and Lebanon’s territorial sanctity.
Arriving as a supporter, Guterres implored unity among Lebanese. He noted the tragedy: ‘Lebanon dragged into undesired conflict.’ He hoped for peaceful times ahead, state monopoly on arms, and respected integrity.
‘Not armed groups’ era—strong states’ time,’ he proclaimed. Aoun cited 800,000+ displacements, sought Israeli strike halts, UN thanks, more aid.
Economic carnage: trade output -50%, non-essentials -60-80%. Industry -50%, agriculture -40% from closures, export snags. Hotels 10-15%, eateries -90%, agencies -80%.
Shukair predicted business deaths, job hemorrhages worsening crisis if war drags. Trigger: Feb 28 U.S.-Israel Iran hits, Hezbollah rockets, Israel strikes.
WHO: 634 dead, 1,586 hurt. Guterres’ call vital for de-escalation.