UK says working to de-escalate and end cycle of violence in Middle East

Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N., has said that the UK is working to de-escalate and end the cycle of violence in Middle East, during a U.N. Security Council meeting on the latest developments in the region.

"This past year has seen continuous and devastating violence across the region. Civilians have suffered on a dreadful scale on both sides of the Blue Line. The explosions in Lebanon this week and Israel’s strike in southern Beirut today are the latest in a deadly cycle of violence, and we are deeply concerned by civilian casualties resulting from those incidents. That children were among them is particularly distressing. Our condolences go to the families of the civilians killed," Kariuki said.

"My Foreign Secretary made our view clear last night: we need an immediate ceasefire on both sides. We are working in lockstep with our allies to de-escalate tensions and end this destructive cycle," he added.

"We want to see the implementation of a political plan, based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which allows both Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes and live in peace and security. We are ready to play our role in a diplomatic process to achieve that," the envoy said.

Accusing Hezbollah of launching an "unprovoked attack on Israel on 8 October 2023," Kariuki added that "since then, Israel has faced a near-daily barrage of Hezbollah rockets."

"We are resolute in our support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens against such threats. However, in doing so, international humanitarian law must be fully respected, and all possible steps taken to avoid civilian casualties," he said.

"Now is the time for calm heads and an urgent focus on an immediate ceasefire to create the space for negotiations," Kariuki added.