Swiss president calls for 'immediate return' to normalcy on Israel-Lebanon border

'The best way of protecting civilians is and will always be peace,' says Viola Amherd

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Swiss President Viola Amherd on Tuesday expressed her concern over the ongoing conflicts and tolls around the world, calling for an immediate return to normalcy on the Blue Line, the de facto Israeli-Lebanese border.

Addressing the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Amherd reminded that this year marks the 75th anniversary of Geneva Conventions, governing the legal bases for war and thus the protection of civilians.

However, she noted that recent figures from the UN "paint a bleak picture" of the international community.

"We can see violations of international humanitarian law in Myanmar, in Ukraine, in the Middle East and in Sudan," she noted, recalling that Switzerland was firmly committed to ensuring that the Security Council adopts cease-fire resolutions on Gaza and Sudan.

She went on to say that there is an urgent need for these resolutions to be implemented and upheld.

"By the same token, we strongly call for an immediate return for complete cessation of hostilities on both sides of the Blue Line," underlined Amherd.

The Swiss president stressed that a heavy price is being paid by civilians in these conflicts, pointing out that this scenario makes her country even more resolved to continue to view international humanitarian law as a top priority.

"The best way of protecting civilians is and will always be peace," she added.

The Israeli army has launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since early Monday, killing more than 560, including 95 women and 50 children, and injuring 1,835 others, according to Lebanese authorities.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,400 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

The international community has warned against the strikes, as they raise the specter of spreading the Gaza conflict regionally.

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