Slovenia intends to convene an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council on the tension between Israel and Lebanon at the request of France, reported the Slovenian edition of the regional TV En1. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry will also summon the Israeli ambassador to Ljubljana this afternoon.
France, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, yesterday called for an emergency meeting of the Council due to the escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro called for the avoidance of regional conflict.
Slovenia, which is a non-permanent member of the Security Council, currently chairs the Council. The meeting is expected to be held today.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation and the high number of civilian casualties, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, after Israel launched a large-scale attack on Lebanon that left more than 500 dead, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday. He left Israel at a time of very intense fighting, which drew criticism from the Israeli government, reported “Al Jazeera”, quoted by En 1. His address was initially scheduled for Friday.
Due to intense clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese border, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry also summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks yesterday, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon confirmed in New York. According to her, it seems that Lebanon is becoming the new Gaza and she described the situation as alarming. The conversation should take place this morning.