  {"id":318786,"date":"2026-06-10T12:48:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&#038;p=318786"},"modified":"2026-06-10T12:48:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:48:50","slug":"secretary-general-urges-political-solutions-and-dialogue-for-lasting-peace-in-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/secretary-general-urges-political-solutions-and-dialogue-for-lasting-peace-in-the-middle-east\/","title":{"rendered":"Secretary\u2011General urges political solutions and dialogue for lasting peace in the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fusion-bar-highlight\" href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/100626_sgsm_Middle-East_ALL-FR.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"menu-text\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>THE SECRETARY-GENERAL<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>&#8212;<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY: ADVANCING POLITICAL SOLUTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: MEDIATION FOR DIALOGUE AND LASTING PEACE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>New York, 10 June 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>[All English]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis \u2013 and the consequences reach far beyond the region.<\/p>\n<p>This week has brought wider attacks and further deterioration.<\/p>\n<p>I am profoundly concerned it could trigger a full resumption of conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Escalation in the Middle East reverberates across borders and continents.<\/p>\n<p>Through political tensions, displacement, and rising insecurity.<\/p>\n<p>Through markets and trade routes.<\/p>\n<p>Through food and fuel costs.<\/p>\n<p>A brutal price is being paid by the region\u2019s people.<\/p>\n<p>And it is extending to the wider world, particularly the most vulnerable countries and communities.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why today\u2019s discussion matters so much.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>Let me start with the dramatic events in Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>Since March, we have witnessed a serious escalation \u2013 as Israel intensified its operations in Lebanese territory and Hizbullah fired deeper into Israel.<\/p>\n<p>We have seen the killing of civilians.<\/p>\n<p>Entire communities uprooted, and extensive demolition of homes and civilian infrastructure, in southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>The forced displacement of over a million civilians.<\/p>\n<p>The killing of seven UN peacekeepers \u2013 including one last week.<\/p>\n<p>And through it all, the risk and reality of more escalation.<\/p>\n<p>All parties must work towards a diplomatic settlement.<\/p>\n<p>A settlement that fully respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders \u2013 in line with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-186298\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Security Council resolution 1701<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I fully support a monopoly on weapons by the Lebanese Government.<\/p>\n<p>The process must start with a comprehensive ceasefire respected by all parties everywhere, alleviating the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line.<\/p>\n<p>And I urge a continued Âé¶¹APP uniformed presence following the departure of UNIFIL \u2013 as proposed last week in my letter to this Council.<\/p>\n<p>I commend the United States for facilitating talks between Israel and Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>I hope further negotiations will contribute to lasting peace and stability.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, I appeal to all parties to implement the ceasefire agreements.<\/p>\n<p>No more attacks. No more excuses.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>We must address the crisis that lies at the root of wider regional instability.<\/p>\n<p>The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has gone unresolved for decades.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to get serious about the only credible way forward:<\/p>\n<p>An end to the occupation and a two-State solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic States \u2013 Israel and Palestine \u2013 live side-by-side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States \u2013 in line with international law, UN resolutions and other relevant agreements.<\/p>\n<p>Delay and denial only perpetuate injustice \u2013 fuelling extremism in the region and further afield.<\/p>\n<p>The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory \u2013 namely Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem \u2013 is rapidly deteriorating.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the ceasefire announced eight months ago, Gaza still faces profound uncertainty and immense human suffering.<\/p>\n<p>Violence is on the rise, with civilians killed on a daily basis.<\/p>\n<p>Humanitarian operations remain heavily constrained.<\/p>\n<p>Basic human needs \u2013 for clean water, sanitation, food, shelter, health care, and more \u2013 are going unmet.<\/p>\n<p>And the Israeli Government is declaring its intent to control 70 per cent of the Strip.<\/p>\n<p>I urge all parties to implement in full and without delay the Comprehensive Plan facilitated by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n<p>I recall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/security-council-resolution-on-president-donald-j-trumps-comprehensive-plan-to-end-the-gaza-conflict-s-res-2803-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Security Council resolution 2803<\/a> and stress that all efforts must adhere to international law, including relevant Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n<p>I also call for the immediate removal of obstacles systematically undermining the nature and scale of humanitarian relief in Gaza.<\/p>\n<p>The provision of humanitarian aid must never be used as a bargaining chip.<\/p>\n<p>The ceasefire must be consolidated, paving the way for recovery and reconstruction.<\/p>\n<p>Any sustainable solution in Gaza must be consistent with international law and ensure that Gaza and the West Bank \u2013 including East Jerusalem \u2013 remain unified.<\/p>\n<p>Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian State.<\/p>\n<p>Simultaneously, there are alarming reports coming from the occupied West Bank:<\/p>\n<p>Reports of settler violence \u2013 now averaging six attacks per day.<\/p>\n<p>The demolition of homes, destruction of farms, and confiscation of land.<\/p>\n<p>The relentless expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.<\/p>\n<p>The ongoing displacement of Palestinians at levels not seen since 1967.<\/p>\n<p>The threat of an attempted annexation that would \u2013 like the decades-long occupation \u2013 have no legal validity.<\/p>\n<p>The risk of making a two-State solution impossible \u2013 when there is no other viable option.<\/p>\n<p>And throughout, the presumption of impunity.<\/p>\n<p>These injustices must stop.<\/p>\n<p>Member States must comply with all their obligations under international law.<\/p>\n<p>No exceptions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>Let me turn now to the Gulf region, where the ceasefire is more like a lesser-fire \u2013 as we have seen with the escalating attacks and rhetoric over the last 48 hours.<\/p>\n<p>We should not minimize the risks of lesser fire becoming full fire, or in [other words], full war.<\/p>\n<p>For long periods, civilians and civilian infrastructure have come under attack in multiple countries.<\/p>\n<p>All threats to national sovereignty and territorial integrity are violations of international law.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, restrictions on navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz are causing hardship and instability across the world.<\/p>\n<p>Driving up energy prices and disrupting supply chains.<\/p>\n<p>Making fertilizers more costly \u2013 and hunger more prevalent.<\/p>\n<p>Pushing up inflation and piling on debt.<\/p>\n<p>And, in fragile States, raising the risk of fresh conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Even in the best-case scenario, these shocks will be felt for many months \u2013 with developing countries bearing the heaviest impacts.<\/p>\n<p>I call on all parties to honour the ceasefire and redouble efforts to reach a lasting agreement.<\/p>\n<p>I am particularly thankful to the Government of Pakistan for its active mediation.<\/p>\n<p>And I welcome the important contributions of Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n<p>The world needs to see a complete ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p>With navigational rights and freedoms restored, in line with international law and Security Council resolution 2817.<\/p>\n<p>And serious negotiations on the nuclear issues \u2013 ensuring that Iran\u2019s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to explore a new security architecture for the Gulf \u2013 based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, noninterference in their internal affairs, and enhanced multilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>Any escalation of conflict in the region casts a shadow over Syria.<\/p>\n<p>After 13 years of violence, its people are finally tasting peace.<\/p>\n<p>Council Members witnessed this firsthand on a visit to Damascus six months ago.<\/p>\n<p>You saw what this transition needs to succeed \u2013 from inclusivity and rule of law to transitional justice, intercommunal dialogue, and reconstruction.<\/p>\n<p>Your continued support for the UN\u2019s role and enhanced presence in Syria will enable us to deliver on these objectives as one UN.<\/p>\n<p>Consolidating peace in Syria also requires respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot let progress be jeopardized by further use of force or wider regional instability.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>In Yemen, we have a recent example of mediation in action.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, the Âé¶¹APP supported a group of mediators between the parties to reach an agreement on the release of 1,600 conflict-related detainees.<\/p>\n<p>This was part of the implementation of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement \u2013 and the largest release agreement since the conflict began.<\/p>\n<p>But tensions persist.<\/p>\n<p>Threats by the Houthis to curtail navigational rights and freedoms in the Bab Al Mandeb must stop at once.<\/p>\n<p>And I strongly urge the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained UN personnel \u2013 as well as those from NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.<\/p>\n<p>Our colleagues must be allowed to perform their functions independently and without hindrance \u2013 in line with the Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Âé¶¹APP.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mr. President,<\/p>\n<p>Dialogue is our best and only hope for peace.<\/p>\n<p>We have seen it in Colombia, where this Organization has had the privilege of supporting a hard-won peace agreement.<\/p>\n<p>And we must pursue it wherever there is conflict.<\/p>\n<p>In the Middle East. In Ukraine. In Sudan. And beyond.<\/p>\n<p>The UN Charter gives us the rules and the tools.<\/p>\n<p>The Security Council can rally the world to use them.<\/p>\n<p>Last year in Resolution 2788, you yourselves urged all Member States to utilize effectively the mechanisms for pacific settlement of disputes \u2013 as outlined in Article 33 of the Charter.<\/p>\n<p>This Council holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Âé¶¹APP, including by settling international disputes peacefully.<\/p>\n<p>I commend those Member States, Regional Organizations and other actors discreetly and openly pursuing the peaceful resolution of conflicts around the world.<\/p>\n<p>The Âé¶¹APP will continue to provide technical expertise and operational support in preventing and resolving disputes, drawing on our decades of experience in this arena.<\/p>\n<p>My good offices and the Charter\u2019s tools for the pacific settlement of disputes are always at your service.<\/p>\n<p>As for the Middle East, I urge this Council to put its full weight behind the two-State solution \u2013 the key to a just and lasting peace in the region.<\/p>\n<p>There is no alternative.<\/p>\n<p>And there is no time to waste.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Fran\u00e7ais THE SECRETARY-GENERAL &#8212; REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY: ADVANCING POLITICAL SOLUTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: MEDIATION FOR DIALOGUE AND LASTING PEACE New York, 10 June 2026 [All English] The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis \u2013 and the consequences reach far <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/secretary-general-urges-political-solutions-and-dialogue-for-lasting-peace-in-the-middle-east\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2637,1338],"document-source":[5352,1362],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2265,2005,1741,6881,1905,6771,6245],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-318786","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-remarks","document-category-statement","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-security-council","document-subject-ceasefire","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-occupied-palestinian-territory","document-subject-peace-proposals-and-efforts","document-subject-two-state-solution","document-subject-violence","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":318791,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318786\/revisions\/318791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=318786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=318786"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=318786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}