Lebanese people did not choose war, 'they were dragged into it,' says UN
UN chief Antonio Guterres visited Beirut to express solidarity with the Lebanese people, stating they were "dragged into" a war they did not choose as regional hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 03:07 | 13 March 2026
The Lebanese people did not choose a war but "they were dragged into it," the UN chief said on Friday on a visit to the capital Beirut amid continuing attacks by Israel.
"I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon," Antonio Guterres wrote on the US social media company X. "They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it."
He pledged to "spare no effort" in working for the peaceful future that Lebanon and the region "so richly deserve."
His visit comes amid frequent weapons fire exchanges between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel as Tel Aviv expanded its operations in Lebanon since March 2 amid regional hostilities.
Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing some 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
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