UN Warns Lebanon Conflict Could Spark New Refugee Crisis

The head of the United Nations migration agency has issued a stark warning over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, calling the situation "deeply worrying." Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated that hostilities have already displaced more than 1.2 million people inside the country. She urged all sides to de-escalate the fighting immediately. "The protection of civilians must be ensured at all times," Pope said. She emphasized that further violence risks creating a severe humanitarian emergency. The mass displacement adds strain to a nation already hosting a large population of refugees from the war in neighboring Syria. The UN is calling for safe access to deliver aid to those forced from their homes.