Lebanon on ‘The Brink’, Warns UN Chief as World Leaders Convene

UN Secretary-General issues a dire warning about Lebanon’s instability, stating the country is on ‘the brink’ amid escalating tensions. Read more about the UN’s call for action as world leaders gather.

Reflecting on the tumultuous withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan in 2021, which marked the conclusion of two decades of involvement, President Biden expressed that he thinks of the American soldiers who lost their lives due to a bomb during the evacuation “every single day.”

The President, who frequently references his Irish heritage, revisited several recurring themes from his administration, citing the Irish poet W.B. Yeats’s assertion that the “center cannot hold,” while simultaneously affirming that it indeed can.

Biden elicited laughter from the gathered global leaders when he humorously remarked, “I know that I look like I’m only 40.”

Despite the grand themes presented, Biden’s address provided limited specifics on addressing the foreign policy challenges that either Trump or Harris will face.

– ‘Crisis and uncertainty’ –

He cautioned against the potential for a “full-scale war” in Lebanon, without offering strategies to prevent such an outcome, following Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah that resulted in at least 558 fatalities.

Biden’s aspiration for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas appears increasingly distant.

On the matter of Ukraine, Biden adopted a more resolute stance, declaring that “Putin’s war has failed” and urging Kyiv’s allies to “not grow weary” in their support.

He is scheduled to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—who was present in the hall during Biden’s address—at the White House for discussions on Thursday.

Throughout his speech, Biden emphasized the significance of U.S. alliances, which he has sought to strengthen following the Trump administration, during which longstanding U.S. relationships were often questioned.

Biden participated in a joint event addressing the fentanyl trade with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and was set to deliver a speech on climate issues.

Biden’s address at the UN serves as part of a broader effort to “Trump-proof” his legacy in the final four months of his presidency.

He acknowledged that he “came to the presidency at another moment of crisis and uncertainty,” just days after pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process.

READ ALSO: Over 500 Killed in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict

The attack on October 7 by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas against Israel, along with the subsequent violence in the Middle East, has revealed significant rifts within the international community.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas are anticipated to speak at the General Assembly this week, the potential for tense moments is high.

On Tuesday, representatives from Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, and Algeria are scheduled to take the stage to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza following nearly a year of conflict.

Additionally, Ukraine will be a topic of discussion on Tuesday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to address a UN Security Council meeting regarding Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“I urge all leaders and nations to persist in our collective efforts towards a just and peaceful future,” Zelensky stated to the UN on Monday.

“Putin has already taken much, but he will never seize the future of the world.”

In terms of diplomatic outcomes, it remains uncertain whether this significant gathering can provide any relief for the millions affected by conflict and poverty worldwide.

“Any genuine diplomatic efforts to alleviate tensions are likely to occur behind closed doors,” Gowan remarked.

“This could present an opportunity for Western and Arab diplomats to engage in discreet discussions with Iranian officials about the necessity of preventing the regional situation from escalating further.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called for an urgent assembly of Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to address the crisis in Lebanon.

Guterres warned against the “risk of turning Lebanon into another Gaza.”

AFP