(VOVWORLD) -The United Nations and Lebanon on Sunday called for deescalation of tensions after Israel conducted massive air strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah announced its attack on Israeli positions.
 Smoke rises after Israeli shelling on Khiam, Lebanon, August 23, 2024. Photo: Xinhua/VNA
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In a statement, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCO) and the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed deep concern over the recent developments along the Lebanese-Israeli border and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and “refrain from further escalatory action.”
“A return to the cessation of hostilities, followed by the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, is the only sustainable way forward,” the statement said.
Also on Sunday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati made "a series of contacts with friends of Lebanon" to prevent escalating tensions. He emphasized the need to apply Resolution 1701, which marked the end of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. There are now calls for the full implementation of the Resolution to end the current violence.