UN chief "gravely concerned" by escalation of events in Beirut: spokesman

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut, Lebanon, in the last 24 hours, his spokesman said on Saturday.

"This cycle of violence must stop now, and all sides must step back from the brink," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary general, said in a statement.

"The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war," the statement said.

It added that the UN chief "urges the parties to re-commit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities. He also reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held there." ■