UN chief urges Israel and Lebanon to honor their commitments

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said "we continue to urge Israel and Lebanon to honor their commitments to the cessation of hostilities understanding."

"Continued progress in Lebanese Armed Forces redeployment and Israeli Defense Force withdrawal is crucial," Haq said, adding that "the parties must avoid any action that could raise tensions, endanger civilians and further delay their return to their towns and villages on both sides."

Haq added that the "U.N. continues to urge the full implementation of Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path towards longer term peace, security and stability on both sides of the Blue Line."

He was referring to the U.N. Security Council decision that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Under Resolution 1701, only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers can be deployed in southern Lebanon.