United Nations Secretary-General calls for calm after Hezbollah head Nasrallah threatens Israel over disputed Mediterranean territory

NEW YORK — During a press conference by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations Stéphane Dujarric in New York, journalists asked about the position of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding threats made Secretary-General of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah over the Israeli–Lebanese negotiations focusing on an oil and gas rich region of the Mediterranean Sea.

“I think we are always concerned about the fragility of the situation in that region,” replied Dujarric. “We ask everyone to avoid any rhetoric that further fuels the situation.”

Lebanon and Israel have been negotiating over a dispute about an area of ​​860 square kilometers which is rich in oil and gas. The two countries have previously engaged in indirect negotiations to demarcate the borders, mediated by the U.S., and under the auspices of the United Nations.

On Tuesday, Nasrallah said that “any arm” that seeks to grab Lebanon’s resources “would be chopped off”.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized Hezbollah last month when the Israeli military shot down three unarmed drones belonging to Hezbollah that were flying over the disputed area, stating that such actions pose a threat to Lebanon.