UN Chief Says World Owes Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon Victims An Apology

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Geneva: UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the international community owed a ‘mea culpa’ to people suffering in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Sudan, claiming the world has persistently ignored their plight.

At his final news conference before the 81st UN General Assembly, Guterres was asked if he personally owed an apology to those whose tragedies the UN had been unable to prevent. He rejected the concept of personal responsibility, stating that he had continuously advocated for the rights of individuals impacted, but that the international community should admit its mistakes.

Guterres stated that the international community has ‘many times’ been inattentive to the suffering of people in afflicted countries, calling the situation ‘absolutely intolerable.’ He also mentioned how international focus tends to shift away from Gaza and the West Bank as new problems erupt elsewhere.

Guterres stated that there will be no long-term peace in the Middle East unless the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is resolved. He also urged for increased efforts to achieve a two-state solution and expressed concern over developments in the West Bank.

Turning to Sudan, Guterres termed the humanitarian situation as catastrophic and the suffering of civilians as unacceptable. He said countries who provide weapons to Sudan's warring parties should be held accountable if those weapons are used against civilians.

Guterres also emphasised the need of settling the Sudanese conflict for achieving peace in the Horn of Africa. His comments come as world leaders prepare to meet in New York for the UN General Assembly, with the wars in Gaza, Sudan, and Lebanon anticipated to remain key international issues.