Minister Fajon reiterated her strong condemnation of the escalation of tensions in Lebanon. "This week's new attacks are causing further chaos and fear. I therefore call on both sides, as well as all countries and stakeholders in the region, to exercise restraint in their actions and words. Each attack takes us further away from peace. To those of you who sit at this table and have influence on the various actors, I would like to say that now is the time to use it. Israel must stop its air strikes and abandon its plans for a ground invasion. Hezbollah must cease its attacks. This is the moment for the Security Council to unite in a common call to de-escalate tensions and end hostilities," said Minister Fajon.

She emphasised that the protection of civilians must be the priority. "We are deeply concerned by the images of confusion and fear prevailing in southern Lebanon," she said, calling for respect for international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. She recalled the words of Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who stated that international humanitarian law offers a path to peace and should become our common political priority. "We call for the immediate and full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and fully support UNIFIL in Lebanon. Its presence and mandate are key factors for stability," said Minister Fajon on behalf of Slovenia.

She concluded her speech by recalling that diplomacy is the only way forward and that it is high time to return to the negotiating table. "We cannot afford to see Lebanon become the next Gaza. We cannot afford to continue this spiral of violence in the Middle East. We must stop it immediately. I call for a genuine commitment to concluding negotiations and for the Security Council to play an active role in supporting these efforts," she said.