The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Janine Hennis-Plaschert, deplores the barrage of explosions that rocked the entire country, killing at least nine people and leaving thousands injured, many critically.

Ms. Plaschert reminds all stakeholders that according to international humanitarian law, civilians are not a target and must be protected at all times.

“Today’s developments mark an extremely worrying escalation in an already unacceptably volatile framework. While the full impact of the attack is still unfolding, I urge all stakeholders to refrain from any further action or belligerent rhetoric, which could cause a wider conflagration that no one can afford,” it said.

The Special Coordinator for Lebanon underlines the urgent need to restore calm and calls on all stakeholders to prioritize stability. “Too much is at stake to do anything less,” he noted.