Activities of the Secretary-General in Lebanon, 13-16 March 2026

On Friday, 13 March, the Secretary-General arrived in Beirut, Lebanon. He announced his arrival on his X account saying that this is a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon who did not choose this war. "They were dragged into it."

The Secretary-General immediately began his diplomatic engagements with the leadership of Lebanon. Mr. Guterres met with Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon. During their meeting, the Secretary-General expressed his full solidarity with the Lebanese people. He stressed that it is high time for a ceasefire and expressed his support for all efforts that would lead to the full respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that the State has the monopoly over the use of force.

Following that, he had a working lunch with the President.

In remarks to the media following the meeting with the President, the Secretary-General said that he knows that the Lebanese are suffering enormously. "I sincerely hope that in my next visit to Lebanon, I'll be able to visit a Lebanon in peace. I'll be able to live to visit a Lebanon where the State has the monopoly of the use of force and to visit a Lebanon whose territorial integrity is fully re-established and respected."

Then, he left the President's residency and headed to his meeting with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. They discussed the latest developments and hostilities, as well as the role of Parliament in adopting reforms necessary for the strengthening of Lebanese State institutions and the delivery of services.

In remarks to the media in the Speaker of the Parliament's residence, the Secretary-General appealed for an immediate ceasefire. "Let's stop this enormous suffering of the Lebanese people and we will do our best to make sure that with a ceasefire there will be serious negotiations to guarantee that Lebanon will see its sovereignty, its territorial integrity respected and at the same time that the Lebanon State with the totality of its communities will be a strong State and will be able to exercise the monopoly of the force in the country."

Later, the Secretary-General held a meeting with Nawaf Salam, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Lebanon. During the meeting,they discussed the latest developments, efforts to de-escalate hostilities and advancing resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006). They also discussed efforts to strengthen Lebanese State institutions, and progress in advancing crucial governance and economic reforms.

Attending all these meetings with the Secretary-General were Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Coordinator for Lebanon; Imran Riza, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon; and Major General Diodato Abagnara, Force Commander of UNIFIL.

Mr. Guterres and the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Lebanon launched a flash humanitarian appeal of $308.3 million to provide life-saving support to 1 million impacted people over the next 3 months.

In remarks, Mr. Guterres emphasized that the success of this effort will depend on swift and flexible funding, as well as ensuring that humanitarian workers can safely reach those most in need, and called for the respect of international humanitarian law and protection of civilians.

The Secretary-General had a Ramadan Iftar meal with Mr. Salam.

On Saturday, 14 March, the Secretary-General met with the Lebanese Army Force Commander, General Rudolph Haykal. He stressed the UN's support to the Lebanese Army and that the that the State has the monopoly over the use of force.

Later, the Secretary-General visited one of the internally displaced peoples' shelter, where dozens of families have sought refuge from the south of the country and the south of the capital Beirut, because of the heavy bombardment. The Secretary-General engaged with some of the displaced men, women and children, who told him about their shattered lives after they were forced to leave their homes. Some walked for days, others slept on the streets before coming to the shelter. The Secretary-General expressed his deep solidarity with them, saying that he was a UN High Commissioner for Refugees and he understands their plight. He hoped that they are able to go back to their homes, saying that the United Nations will do everything it can to support the Government in providing aid to those displaced people, noting the flash appeal that was launched a day before. Over 800,000 people in Lebanon are displaced during these latest rounds of hostilities.

Following the visit to the IDP shelter, the Secretary-General visited the hospital and met with UNIFIL wounded soldier Lance Corporal Albert Abrefa Busia, who was seriously injured during an attack at his position on 6 March in southern Lebanon.

Later, the Secretary-General held a press conference in Beirut. He said that his visit coincides with Muslim communities observing Ramadan and Christian communities observing Lent. This is a season for solidarity, generosity, and a powerful reminder of Lebanon's spirit of confessional co-existence. "It breaks my heart to see this period shattered by escalating violence," he said.

He called on the warring parties to stop the fighting. "There is no military solution - only diplomacy, dialogue and the full implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions."

He added that the diplomatic avenues are available, "including through my Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and through key Member States".

Mr. Guterres left Beirut on the morning of Sunday, 16 March.