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Warring parties should never attack children or the services they rely on, a senior official with the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said on Tuesday, following recent violence and disruption in Syria. 

Mona Ataya, a Palestinian-Lebanese entrepreneur based in the United Arab Emirates, runs the largest online marketplace for mothers in the Middle East. In recognition of her achievements, she has been chosen as one of the six eTrade for Women Advocates for 2021-2022, by the UN trade agency, UNCTAD. 

This article was first published on UN News.

Having heard and seen for himself the suffering of Lebanon’s people, the UN chief told political leaders there on Tuesday that they “do not have the right to be divided”, leaving the nation paralysed, amidst multiple crises.

“All government institutions are measured on results: social protection, access to electricity and water, education and basic healthcare, good governance and the protection of human rights”, said Secretary-General António Guterres.

First published on UN News website: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/12/1108492  

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One of the UN Secretary-General’s most prominent stops during the second day of his visit to crisis-hit Lebanon was the port of Beirut, where he laid a wreath at the memorial for the victims of the explosion there which took the lives of more than 200 people.

Dear Minister Mikati,

Thank you very much for your invitation and for your wonderful hospitality

I would like to once again express my gratitude to Prime Minister Mikati for his invitation and for his hospitality. This is the second day of my visit and I must say that I have reasons to feel encouraged.

Very good morning.

By United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; His Beatitude Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and Head of the Maronite Church; His Eminence Abdul Latif Derian, Sunni Grand Mufti; Judge Sheikh Mahdi El-Yahfoufi representing  His Eminence Sheikh Ali Al Khatib, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council; His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yaziji, Patriarch of Antioch for the Greek Orthodox Church; His Eminence Sheikh Sami Abil Mona, Druze Sheikh Aql and Head of the Druze Unitarian Council; and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Kes

First published on UN News website: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/12/1108382

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Lebanese leaders on Sunday to work together to solve multiple crises plaguing the nation.

Fractured along sectarian lines, successive Governments have been unable to put the country on a sustainable path forward.

Kicking off a four-day visit, he met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, saying they had a “fruitful” talk.

Members of the media are cordially invited to a press conference by United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday 21 December 2021 at 6:00 PM, at Movenpick Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon.

Members of the media are kindly requested to: