WCC news: WCC meets with ambassador of Lebanon to the United Nations in Geneva

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, met with H.E. Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh, permanent representative of Lebanon to the United Nations Office in Geneva, to discuss the escalating humanitarian situation in Lebanon. H.E. Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh and Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. Photo: Rhoda Mphande/WCC 13 March 2026 The meeting was also attended by Rana El Khoury, first secretary at the Permanent Mission of Lebanon; Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of Churches on International Affairs; Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peacebuilding in the Middle East; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. Ziadeh detailed the efforts of the Lebanese government since its establishment to extend its authority over its territory, and highlighted the latest decisions, including one taken on 2 March, considering all security and military activities of Hezbollah illegal and tasked the armed forces to disarm Hezbollah. She conveyed the plan of four points, which includes an urgent appeal from the president of Lebanon calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, particularly in light of Israeli attacks affecting civilian populations and civilian infrastructure across the country. According to information shared by Lebanese authorities, repeated Israeli strikes have impacted residential areas and civilian infrastructure in several regions of Lebanon, including the south, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the Baalbek region, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of homes, and large-scale displacement. Data from Lebanon’s Disaster Risk Management Unit indicates that the escalation has resulted so far in 1,623 hostilities; 687 fatalities; 1,774 injuries; and more than 822,000 internally displaced persons, with 128,200 people currently in collective shelters.  Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern for the suffering of civilians and reaffirmed the WCC’s commitment to advocating for peace and the protection of human life. “The protection of civilians must remain paramount in all circumstances. We join the call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full respect for international humanitarian law. The World Council of Churches also supports the government of Lebanon in its efforts to uphold its authority and ensure the protection and security of its people,” said Pillay. While highlighting the four-point plan of the president of the Lebanese Republic to resolve the conflict, Ziadeh emphasized the urgent need to act collectively to maintain Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of its population, as well as its unique model of a mosaic of coexistence among different religious groups. The WCC reaffirmed its readiness to remain in dialogue with churches and partners in Lebanon and to continue supporting efforts that promote peace, humanitarian protection, and respect for international law. Joint statement on widening conflict in the Middle East raises deep concerns for humanitarian and social impact (WCC news release, 9 March 2026) Photo gallery See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland