UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/ru/briefing/sg/2026-04-02 Middle East, Lebanon, South Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing — 2 April 2026 Language: en Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record. --- UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [0:00]: All right, good afternoon. Um, we had a guest lined up for today, Edem Wosornu, who is the Director of Operations at OCHA, but given everything that is going on, we've postponed it until next week. She was here to speak to you about Haiti, but we will get her back next week. As a reminder, tomorrow is an official UN holiday in observance of Good Friday. The headquarters is scheduled to be closed. However, sometimes the Security Council forces us to be open. So, stay tuned. I don't know. So we will stay tuned anyway. Earlier this morning, the Secretary-General spoke to you on the onset of the second month of the Middle East crisis and warned that we are on the edge of a wider war that could engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe. He said that when the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world's poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe. The spiral of death and destruction must stop, Mr. Guterres said, and diplomatic efforts must deserve the space and support to succeed, anchored firmly in international law, including the Charter of these United Nations. Um, he said he remains in close contact with the parties and is dispatching his personal envoy, Jean Arnault, to the region to support these efforts. Once again, he told the United States and Israel that it is high time to stop the war and told Iran to stop attacking its neighbors. And I can add that Jean Arnault is finalizing arrangements to travel to the region. He will visit countries affected by the conflict and meet with authorities there. He also plans to meet with facilitators of the diplomatic track to discuss the ways and means for the United Nations to contribute to efforts to bring about a comprehensive and durable settlement to this conflict. We'll obviously keep you updated of his activities as we're able to share them with you. Earlier today in Lebanon, in Beirut, there was a solemn ceremony that took place at Beirut's International Airport to pay tribute to our three fallen peacekeepers from UNIFIL. And as you will remember, they are Corporal Farizal Ramadan, Major Zulmi Iskandar, and First Sergeant Mohammad Nur Ikhwan, all are from the Indonesian Armed Forces. And they lost their lives in two incidents, one on March 29th and another on March 30th. All of them, and they lost their lives while bravely implementing their mandates and peacekeeping duties as part of UNIFIL. The three peacekeepers were posthumously awarded the UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces medals in recognition of their dedicated service to UNIFIL's mission in South Lebanon. Meanwhile, the picture on the ground remains concerning and bleak. UNIFIL reports continuing rocket fire towards Israel and airstrikes and artillery shelling impacting several locations in southern Lebanon coming from Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces have expanded their incursions into areas towards the west, with tank and clashes seen in areas in Sector West, located about 12 kilometers north of the Blue Line. The hostilities continue to endanger the peacekeepers. This morning, one peacekeeper was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet at a UN position near Meiss ej Jebel in Sector East. UNIFIL immediately issued a stop-fire request. The peacekeepers received treatment at the position's own medical facility. The falling bullet likely originated from clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli Defense Forces in that area. Meanwhile, in separate incidents, peacekeepers demanded the Israeli Defense Forces remove an Israeli flag that they have erected near a UN position in Kafer Kela, that is in Sector East. As you can imagine, the flag undermines the perception of UNIFIL's impartiality and risks drawing fire towards peacekeepers amid the ongoing clashes that we are seeing. We remind again of all of their obligations to avoid any action that could put the lives of peacekeepers at further risk. On the humanitarian front, colleagues on the ground in Lebanon say that one month since the start of the ongoing escalation in the country, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate at an alarming speed. More than 1.1 million people have now been forced from their homes, having to flee their homes sometimes more than once, as displacement orders as displacement orders from the Israelis continue to impact newer areas. In one month, nearly 15 percent, 15 percent of Lebanon's territory has been impacted by displacement orders issued by Israel. While many have fled, finding refuge in shelters with relatives or informal settlements, others are remaining and urgently need assistance. Hospitals are struggling to keep up. Half of the facilities that are supported by the UN Population Fund in areas impacted directly by the conflict have been forced to close due to the violence. Many healthcare workers themselves have been forced to move. Hospitals and primary healthcare centers are overwhelmed and they are understaffed. Our partners working in health are working to maintain essential services. UNFPA has deployed nine mobile health units across Lebanon to provide maternal care and emergency obstetric support in collective shelters. Service also include care for survivors of sexual violence, psychosocial support, and the distribution of dignity kits and essential supplies for pregnant women and new mothers. However, the response is facing growing constraints. Disruptions to major global transport routes are delaying the delivery of critical assistance to those who need it the most. Our partners are also working to reroute shipments and secure alternative supply lines, but gaps remain at a time when needs are rapidly increasing. As the situation worsens, our calls to the international community remains the same: an immediate de-escalation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, the protection of healthcare centers, the protection of humanitarian workers, and the full and unimpeded humanitarian access, especially to the south of Lebanon, and urgent funding for us to be able to respond to the fast-growing needs at the pace that is needed. Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and I'll start first with Gaza and then move on to the West Bank. Our OCHA colleagues tell say that people's needs in Gaza continue to far exceed what aid organizations can provide amid severe restrictions and other impediments. This underscores the urgent need for authorities to facilitate the work of our humanitarian partners and allow for a wider range of critical items to enter the Gaza Strip through available crossings. Unfortunately, as you know, only one crossing is open to cargo at this point. On food security, we and our partners are completing the distribution for March this week, reaching every other family with rations covering half of the minimum caloric requirements. Our partners are also serving nearly 1.5 meals and producing about 130,000 two-kilogram bread bundles every single day. But this is far from enough. The limited entry of commercial goods, particularly cooking gas, continues to constrain what kitchens and families can prepare. Nearly one in two households still relies on unsafe cooking methods, including the burning of trash. On health, our UN-supported emergency medical teams provided about 23,000 consultations in the last week of March alone. That was throughout Gaza. But persistent delays in clearing specialized medical and surgical equipment continues to limit the ability for us to provide complex healthcare. On shelter, most people remain displaced and the response is still limited to short-term solutions. More durable shelter support depends on the entry of equipment and materials that are not easily approved, including those needed to clear debris and explosive ordnance or to fix damaged homes. During the last week of March, our partners reached nearly 14,000 families with assistance, including tarpaulins and household items, prioritizing people belongings and whose belongings were flooded by the recent rainstorm. On the education front, our partners tell us that last week, rains damaged at least 15 temporary learning spaces, disrupting services to some 20,000 students. Led by UNICEF, education partners continue setting up specialized tents for learning and distributing stationery and recreational items for children. In the West Bank, OCHA casualty figures for the first three months of this year indicate that two out of every three Palestinian fatalities occurring in the regional escalation on February 28th. In other words, 22 of 33 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers. In addition, you'll recall that four other Palestinians, all women, were killed in the West Bank by falling munitions during an Iranian missile attack. More than 200 settler attacks caused casualties or property damage in March, impacting over 100 Palestinian communities. That is about six attacks a day. We and our partners continue to support the health system in the West Bank, as well as... ...families who've been displaced or otherwise affected. But to prevent further violence and reduce people's needs over time, Palestinians must be protected, perpetrators must be held to account for these unlawful attacks, and policies driving such needs must be reversed. Uh, I have a rather long and grim update for you from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate there due to continuing violence in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. In Ituri province alone, our humanitarian colleagues note that at least 30 people were reportedly killed yesterday in armed attacks in the locality of Bafwakwa, that was in Mambasa territory, bringing the number of civilians killed there to more than 100 since March 11th. Local humanitarian partners are also reporting more than 390 people have been abducted in the same period alone. The violence has triggered a new wave of displacement, adding more than 50,000 people already displaced in the territory. Our partners also tell us that there's been widespread looting, including food, medicines, and medical supplies from health facilities. Nine health facilities in Mambasa territory have suspended operations also since March 11th. That has, of course, severely limited access to healthcare for more than 55,000 human beings. Um, and these people were already underserved to start with. In South Kivu, local sources report that at least 20 civilians have been killed and around 10 others injured in clashes since March 23rd in the territory of Uvira, also in territories of Kalehe and Mwenga. Homes and livestock have been damaged, forcing families to flee. Humanitarian needs are rising, particularly access to food, healthcare remains limited. In neighboring North Kivu, continued fighting in Masisi territory displaced about 6,000 people between March 28th and the 29th, adding to more than 180,000 people already displaced there. Despite the insecurity, our partners continue to provide assistance where they can. Between March 16th and 27th, more than 30,000 people received food assistance in Mweso town in Masisi. OCHA urges all armed groups to respect international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The humanitarian response plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains critically underfunded, sadly no surprise there. The $1.4 billion humanitarian appeal is only 30% funded with just over $421 million received so far. As needs grow, the response needs more funding, more cash. And in South Sudan, amid the... ...difficult news that we're seeing globally, there are some hopeful developments to note. Our mission, peacekeeping mission there reports that Upper Nile State Indian peacekeepers from the engineering unit have successfully reopened a key section of the Malakal-Renk main supply route, which has been closed since last year's floods. The new road alignment, which entails reclaiming land from floodwaters to restore the road, will provide safer access, significantly improving mobility in the area and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need in local communities. These efforts underscore the vital role that peacekeeping missions play in supporting stability and enabling critical assistance to reach vulnerable civilians in some of the most challenging environments. Uh, back here, Khaled Khiari, our Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding and Political Affairs, briefed the Security Council on its first-ever consideration of cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He said amidst heightened regional tensions, partnership with regional and sub-regional organizations such as the GCC is vital in advancing peace, security, and stability. Mr. Khiari also welcomed the GCC's engagement on key issues in the Middle East, including the occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. And I want to flag this afternoon, the Council will reconvene for a briefing on cooperation... ...between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. Mr. Khiari will brief again, and also briefing will be the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Aboul Gheit. Uh, just to read into the record a statement we issued yesterday in which the Secretary-General said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Stephen Lewis, a tireless humanitarian and diplomat and steadfast champion of the values of the UN. He was not only a diplomat, but also an activist at heart, relentless in pressing the world to confront justice and act. As the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, he refused to allow this crisis to be discussed in abstract terms, demanding action measured in lives saved, not in words spoken. And his deep engagement with the African continent endured throughout his life, including in recent years where he continued to speak out for equitable access to health interventions and support for affected communities. Uh, our Peacebuilding Fund has approved $2.5 million for an initiative in Guinea-Bissau to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The initiative will address systematic corruption by building the capacity of oversight and audit institutions, by building the capacity, uh, advancing digital solutions and reinforcing partnerships with national stakeholders at national and local level. The peacebuilding initiative to be implemented by the UN Development Programme and the Office on Drugs and Crime will prioritize strengthening civilian institutions, civil society, justice, and accountability mechanisms at the community level for continued peacebuilding impact. It builds on past UN investments... ...in the country in those areas. Today is World Autism Day. We celebrate talents and contributions of autistic people who enrich our world. The Secretary-General called for a renewed commitment to inclusion and embracing diversity. On Saturday, we will mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. In his message, the Secretary-General calls on Member States to adhere to relevant instruments, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and urges all those who've recently withdrawn to rejoin. And on Sunday, it's the International Day of Conscience, a day that highlights the need to uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and solidarity and act with conscience for a more and sustainable world. Chris, you ready? We have a quiz. Uh, this country's most popular sport is cricket. All right. No. Oh, just wait. Just wait. Um, there are only 12 countries in the world that have achieved test status. Uh, this is one of them. It achieved test status in 2000. Uh, it is currently ranked ninth in the world according to the International Cricket Council. The one day that Mr. Iftikhar is not online. Okay, it is known as the Tigers. Bangladesh [17:31]: Bangladesh. UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [17:32]: Who said Bangladesh? There we go. We thank our friends in Dhaka for their full payment in full to the regular budget. We're now up to 98. They paid $317,897. We thank them for every one of those dollars. If you have a question, you may ask it, or you may yield. Okay, Ephrem then Stefano. Saudi Arabia · Ephrem Kossaify [17:56]: Thank you, Steph. Um, I know the Secretary-General doesn't comment on the work of the Security Council, um, but today he highlighted Resolution 2817, which condemned Iran's attack on the GCC. Um, also in your briefing just now, you emphasized clearly the disruption caused by major global transport routes and the impediments it's causing for delivery of aid. This comes at a time when the Security Council is about to vote on yet a new resolution to protect the Strait of Hormuz and calling on international community to use all the tools necessary to ensure the freedom of navigation and security, maritime security. Um, does the Secretary-General see any, uh, worth for the resolution, the need for it, any word on it? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [19:04]: I think you, you kind of answered my question in your preamble, uh, in your preamble. Uh, we're not going to get in the midst of a discussion on resolution that is being looked at very carefully right now by Member States where we know there are some divergent, uh, views. It is always useful when the Council speaks with one voice, and the Secretary-General's position is that the freedom of navigation must be restored in accordance with international law in the Strait of Hormuz for all the reasons that he listed this morning. Mr. Vaccara. Italy · Stefano Vaccara [19:36]: Thank you, Stephane. Um, today we found out about that the Secretary-General was going to deliver his remarks to the press about 40 minutes before, uh, is unusual, I mean 40 minutes. But my question is, did he decide to do the speech that he did after or before President Trump's speech? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [20:00]: No, it was, uh, he had to be completely transparent, uh, he had wanted to speak, uh, today. We weren't sure able to con- we only confirmed it, uh, this morning, uh, but it should not be interpreted as a reaction. Uh, the Secretary-General said what he, what he had to say, uh, and I can tell you that the text was prepared in advance of what was said at the White House yesterday. [20:26]: Okay, so at any reaction of, of, uh, President Trump's speech, there was something that he was looking for, they didn't find anything? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [20:35]: Well, I mean, listen, I will leave you to, to analyze it. I think the Secretary-General's been very consistent in his position on this conflict and I will leave it to, uh, your, uh, your pen, or votre plume as we would say in French, to do the compare and contrast. Yes, sir. [20:52]: Uh, thank you, Steph. Just two logistical questions for you. Uh, first, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has noted that Islamabad is prepared to host direct US and Iran negotiations. While it's not confirmed, is the UN postured to send a representative or any high-level delegation? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [21:12]: Uh, we, we have no, nothing to share with you at this point, but I can tell you the Secretary-General's been very clear that he will support, uh, all efforts, especially coordinated efforts to bring an end to this conflict in line with international law and the Charter. [21:25]: And then just the second question if I may, uh, also on meetings today, uh, UK- the United Kingdom led a coalition of 40 countries which convened virtually to address solutions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Uh, can you confirm if any UN- UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [21:38]: Sorry, say- sorry, say again? [21:39]: The UK led a coalition of 40 countries who convened today virtually to address solutions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Uh, could you confirm if any UN officials- UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [21:51]: No, there was no, no, I mean, not that I know of. We will check, we will double check, but not that I know of. At least no one, no one traveled from, uh, from New York and there was no, uh, there was no Secretariat representative. Abdelhamid. Abdelhamid Abdeljaber [22:04]: Thank you, Stéphane. The rate of unemployment in the West Bank now stands at 28.6, worse than Sudan and Iraq. Do you have any comment on that? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [22:19]: Well, I mean, we're seeing, uh, we are seeing the continued impact of, uh, of the harassment of Palestinian, uh, communities and as we know it has a physical and economic impact. Abdelhamid Abdeljaber [22:31]: Uh, the- a second question, the Special Rapporteur on torture issued a statement commenting on that Israeli law to execute Palestinian prisoners and she said that should be, uh, annulled because it won't happen before they go through torture. So, uh, do you agree with her statement? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [22:56]: Look, as you know we don't, it's not for us to agree or disagree with Special Rapporteurs. I think the Secretary-General's position on that law has been, uh, explained a number of times from this podium and we are against it, to be clear. Uh, Zara, I think you're online, do you have a question? Zara [23:13]: Hi, hi, Steph. One month after the attacks on Iran began, the President of the United States has repeated his threats last night, stating that we will bring Iran back to the Stone Age. Uh, these threats indication an intent to commit war crimes under international humanitarian law and Rome Statute. What is the UN Secretary-General response on this? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [23:43]: Well, I mean, I think the Secretary-General has consistently expressed his concern at not only the increased military action and the, the drums of war beating even harder, but also the increased rhetoric, uh, which is all too often dehumanizing, uh, which we firmly, uh, stand against in all cases. Uh, sorry, Alex and then we'll go back to you, Sinan. Yes. Alex [24:14]: Thank you, Stéphane. Uh, yesterday Ambassador, US Ambassador Bartos, who is in, the US representative for UN reform, uh, told reporters that the US has paid 159 million dollars towards its regular budget for 2026. Is that something you- UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [24:35]: There was a payment a while ago, I will- there was a payment a while ago, let me check if any new money has come in. Alex [24:43]: Is there any talks with the US about the rest of their budget? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [24:46]: There always are discussions with the United States on issues of money. Yep. Abdelhamid Abdeljaber [24:53]: Can I have my follow-up question on that what President Trump said, we will bring them back to the Stone Age and he added a very racist comment when he said, where they belong. Okay, I mean, crossing 2,500 of Iranian civilization, that I think, do you agree that this is a racist comment? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [25:23]: I mean, I think I just answered the question about the dehumanizing language that we stand against. Uh, sorry, Alex and then we'll go back to Sinan. Alex [25:33]: Thanks, Steph. A quick follow-up on the US payment. Are you talking about 160 million that the US has paid or something else? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [25:41]: I mean, you should ask your colleague. Yeah, yeah, no, I know there was money that came in a few months ago and I need to check if what Ambassador Bartos talked about was that or new money. Alex [25:52]: No, thank you. Sinan [25:53]: Mr. Dujarric, is a follow-up on the question that was asked before. Uh, this what President Trump say, that's the same, I mean the phrase, the Stone Age, uh, did the Secretary-General in listening this phrase thought that he was basically threatening to use atomic weapons? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [26:18]: You'd have to ask the person who said those words what he meant. Sinan [26:25]: Okay, my question is- UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [26:26]: I know what you're asking and I'm answering to my best, my limited capacity. Okay. Yes, Pan. Pan [26:32]: Thanks, Steph. Uh, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today that UN Security Council actions must not provide legal cover for unauthorized military operations, nor should they heighten tensions or escalate conflict. So does the SG agree with the viewpoints expressed by the Foreign Minister? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [26:56]: Well, I mean, I think as I said to Ephraim, we're not going to get into commenting on ongoing negotiations. We obviously, as you can imagine, stand for a return to peace and not an increased conflict. Okay. Thank you all. Sorry- Sinan [27:15]: Very quick, I'm sorry. Not that I'm eager to leave or anything, Sinan, but go ahead. Yeah, I was late, maybe somebody asked. According to some reports, a journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad two days ago. And I have a question is like, either it can be a group, it can be a person, it can be government. What's Secretary-General's message to all these governments, groups regarding the journalist safety, like kidnapping, detaining? UN Secretariat · Spokesperson · Stéphane Dujarric [27:33]: Journalists need to be able to do their work freely without fear of harassment, arrest, kidnapping, or, or even worse. Uh, and I have no doubt that the, uh, Iraqi authorities in Baghdad are doing whatever they can to ensure the release of the reporter. Thank you.