Security Council affirms full support for UN chief

UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council on Thursday affirmed its full support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"The members of the Security Council affirmed their full support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, his important role and that of the wider UN," Pascale Baeriswyl, Switzerland's permanent representative to the United Nations and president of the council for October, said in a statement on behalf of the council.

The statement stressed the need for all UN member states to have "a productive and effective relationship" with the UN chief, and urged member states "to refrain from any actions that undermine his work and that of his office."

"The members of the Security Council further underscored that any decision not to engage with the UN secretary-general or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East," it said.

In a separate statement on Thursday, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, permanent representative of Guyana to the United Nations, on behalf of the 10 elected members of the Security Council (E10), said the E10 underscores "our full support to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN system."

The statement said the E10 condemns the current "cycle of violence" in the region and calls for an immediate end to all hostilities. "We also call on all parties to respect their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law."

"We further emphasize that a diplomatic solution is the only appropriate way forward and urge all parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy and ensure the protection of civilians," it said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "persona non grata" in Israel and banned him from entering the country.