Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun receives United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on March 13, 2026. (Credit: Lebanese Presidency Press Office/AFP)
On a surprise visit to Beirut, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a pressing call for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, the restoration of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and announced a $325 million humanitarian plan to aid populations affected by the conflict and humanitarian crisis.
"My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war," Mr. Guterres said just hours after his arrival. "This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states," he added.
The secretary-general expressed his hope that on a future visit he would see "a Lebanon at peace, where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force and the territorial integrity is fully respected."
Since March 2, the conflict has resulted in more than 773 deaths and displaced over 800,000 people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
"I know that the Lebanese are suffering immensely," Mr. Guterres said, deploring that a period that should have been "a moment of peace and solidarity" marked by Lent and Ramadan had been overshadowed by "a war that is not a war that its people would be willing to have."
"Unfortunately, Lebanon was dragged into a war that is not a war that its people would be willing to have."
A risk for ‘stability throughout the region’
The country was drawn into the conflict when Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on March 2, saying it wanted to avenge the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the Israeli-American attack on Iran. For the previous 15 months, the party had refrained from any strikes, while Israel conducted near-daily bombings.
In this context, Mr. Guterres announced a $325 million emergency humanitarian appeal to support vulnerable populations over the next three months, covering food, drinking water, health care, education, and protection.
"Schools have opened their doors to host displaced families. Health workers continue to serve under immense pressure. Communities show resilience even after being displaced several times," he emphasized.
During a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, the latter stated that "Israeli attacks must stop and a cease-fire must be achieved in order to discuss the next steps according to the initiative I launched."
"I expressed my willingness to negotiate, but we have so far received no response from the other side," he said.
On March 9, Mr. Aoun accused Hezbollah of wanting to provoke "the collapse" of Lebanon on behalf of Iran and called for "direct" negotiations with Israel to end the war.
The head of state also said he is counting "on the support of the international community for Lebanon in this delicate phase" and that "the continuation of Israeli attacks will affect the stability of the entire region."
Mr. Aoun further indicated that "the situation of the displaced, whose number is approaching 800,000 people, must be addressed." "We appreciate the United Nations' support for Lebanon and its constant assistance," he stressed.
Mr. Guterres was also received at the Grand Serail by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Beirut ‘is ready to resume negotiations’
At the Grand Serail, the "Lebanon 2026 Emergency Appeal" brought together ambassadors from donor countries, representatives of international organizations and UN agencies, as well as several Lebanese ministers.
The plan aims to mobilize $308 million to support the country. At the launch of this "Appeal," Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed that Beirut "is ready to resume negotiations with Israel under an international umbrella and with civil participation."
He stressed that "Lebanon did not choose this war" and insisted: "An immediate cease-fire is not a political option; it is a humanitarian necessity."
Mr. Salam gave an account of the situation. "In recent weeks, more than 900,000 people, or nearly one in five inhabitants, have been displaced across the country as hostilities have intensified," he continued.
"In southern Lebanon, entire towns are emptying overnight. Families are fleeing with few belongings. Schools are being transformed into shelters, hospitals are overloaded, and essential services are under pressure. Hundreds are dead, thousands wounded.
Behind every number is a child, a parent, a family suddenly uprooted and traumatized." Mr. Salam warned that "Lebanon is now on the brink of a humanitarian abyss" and that "without the rapid mobilization of international aid, the consequences will be dramatic."
‘Front lines are disappearing, so are safe zones’
The prime minister also noted that "front lines are disappearing, so are safe zones. Even the distinction between combatants and civilians, a cornerstone of international humanitarian law, is becoming blurred. When these limits collapse, nowhere is safe."
"Lebanon did not choose this war. There is no justification for holding an entire nation hostage. The Lebanese people are not a battlefield and Lebanon's future must not become collateral damage. An immediate cease-fire is not a political option, it is a humanitarian necessity. The fighting must stop. Civilians must be protected and international humanitarian law respected," he added.
He then recalled the measures taken by his government, which "remains committed to restoring state authority over the entire territory, reestablishing the state's monopoly on arms."
"The Lebanese army has already dismantled more than 500 military positions and weapons depots south of the Litani. All military and security activities of Hezbollah and unofficial actors have been banned, and weapons must be handed over to the state, limiting political activity to the constitutional and legal framework," he emphasized.
Mr. Guterres also went to Ain al-Tineh, where he was received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The latter reiterated to Mr. Guterres "Lebanon's commitment to U.N. Resolution 1701, for which UNIFIL remains essential for implementation, with the support of the Lebanese army," calling on "Israel to end its aggression and apply the November 2024 agreement."
For his part, Mr. Guterres insisted: "My message is very clear: This war must end and an immediate cease-fire must be established."
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