UN urges states to use sway over Israel, Hezbollah to avoid war

UNITED NATIONS - A top United Nations official on Sept. 20 urged all countries with influence over Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah "to leverage it now" to avoid an escalation of Middle East violence that she warned could dwarf the devastation seen so far.

UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council after attacks this week in which Hezbollah's pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, killing 37 people and wounding thousands. The attacks were believed to have been carried out by Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

"We risk seeing a conflagration that could dwarf even the devastation and suffering witnessed so far," Ms. DiCarlo told the 15-member council. "I also strongly urge member states with influence over the parties to leverage it now."

For nearly a year, Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have been at war in the besieged Gaza Strip. During that time, Hezbollah has also been firing rockets at Israel in sympathy with the Palestinians, and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib accused Israel of carrying out the attacks in his country and told the council: "No one in this world is safe anymore."