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British Foreign Secretary to Asharq Al-Awsat: Serious Work Underway to Avoid Expansion of Gaza War

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh (Photo by: Bashir Saleh)
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh (Photo by: Bashir Saleh)
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British Foreign Secretary to Asharq Al-Awsat: Serious Work Underway to Avoid Expansion of Gaza War

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh (Photo by: Bashir Saleh)
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh (Photo by: Bashir Saleh)

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has stressed the importance of advancing the Arab initiative and the two-state solution as the Israel-Hamas war continues in the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh on Thursday, Cleverly emphasized serious work to prevent the war in Gaza from turning into a regional conflict.

Cleverly pointed to his meetings with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan, and his earlier talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, saying that all discussions revolved around trying to stop the war from spreading to neighboring countries.

He said he told his Iranian counterpart about the necessity for Iran to use its influence on Hezbollah, the Houthis and the militias in Iraq and Syria to refrain from exploiting the ongoing war in Gaza to create more violence in Iraq and the region.

Asked about the British position on the developments in Gaza, Cleverly stressed that his country respects and supports Israel’s right to defend itself.

He added that Britain wanted to see Israel safe and secure, and the Palestinian people safe. In this context, he noted that the best means to achieve this goal was the implementation of the two-state solution.

On the ways to invest in the strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Britain to help find a solution to the conflict, Cleverly said that he discussed with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Oslo Accords, as well as efforts to ensure that the killings of Oct. 7 and the loss of life in Gaza are not repeated.

According to the British diplomat, the UK believes that the best way to achieve this end is to work towards a peaceful two-state solution.

Asked to comment on a statement by an Israeli minister about throwing a nuclear bomb on Gaza, Cleverly underlined that such remarks were completely wrong and inappropriate. He said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately dismissed the minister as he did not agree to these comments.

The British diplomat noted that his recent talks with Arab officials touched on the Arab Peace Initiative. He added that the UK would work with its partners, the peace partners in the Palestinian leadership, Israel and the Arab world, to try to achieve peace in the region.

Cleverly went on to say that the only way to achieve peace is when Israel feels that it is no longer threatened by Gaza.

He stressed that it was unfortunate to see the Hamas leadership openly threatening to commit mass murder, as happened on Oct. 7.

The British diplomat highlighted the necessity to replace what he called aggressive and violent people in leadership with persons committed to peace.

Cleverly concluded by saying that his country was working seriously to prevent the war in Gaza from turning into a regional conflict.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.