Lebanese people did not choose war, 'they were dragged into it,' says UN chief

"I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon," Antonio Guterres wrote on the US social media company X. “They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it.”

He pledged to "spare no effort" in working for the peaceful future that Lebanon and the region "so richly deserve."

His visit comes amid frequent weapons fire exchanges between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel as Tel Aviv expanded its operations in Lebanon since March 2 amid regional hostilities.

Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing some 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.