Erdogan Calls for UN Action Against Israel Amid Escalating Tensions
In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United Nations General Assembly to recommend the use of force against Israel if the Security Council fails to halt its military actions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Speaking from Ankara, Erdogan referenced the 1950 Uniting for Peace resolution, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further violence. He called for Islamic nations to unite and apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Israel to enforce a ceasefire.
The European Union has echoed this sentiment, with foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warning against any military intervention in Lebanon, which he believes could worsen the already volatile situation. Borrell stated, "Any further military intervention would severely aggravate the situation and must be avoided," during an emergency teleconference of EU foreign ministers.
This call for restraint was supported by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who urged Israel to refrain from launching a ground invasion into Lebanon. Barrot emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the region and offered French support for the Lebanese army to help implement UN Resolution 1701, aimed at ceasing hostilities in southern Lebanon.
Britain also joined the chorus of calls for de-escalation, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman reinforcing the country's unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense while advocating for a ceasefire as the only path to restoring stability and security in the region. The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts is the Israeli military's announcement of readiness for a broader conflict in Lebanon, following a series of airstrikes and the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, which has heightened tensions on all sides.
