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<\/p>\n
International media reported that walkie-talkies used by members of the Hezbollah militant group blew up on Wednesday, a day after hundreds of pagers across the country exploded simultaneously.<\/p>\n
Mr. Guterres was deeply alarmed by reports that a large number of communication devices exploded in Lebanon and Syria over the past two days, his Spokesperson said in a statement.<\/p>\n
At least 11 people were killed, including children \u2013 and thousands more injured.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Secretary-General urges all concerned actors to exercise maximum restraint to avert any further escalation,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
He also called for the parties to recommit to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities to restore stability.<\/p>\n
Adopted in August 2006, the resolution aimed at ending the war that erupted that year between Israel and Hezbollah, on Lebanese soil.\u00a0 It calls for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of a demilitarized zone.<\/p>\n
The statement concluded by saying the UN \u201csupports all diplomatic and political efforts to end the violence that threatens to engulf the region.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The device detonations are occurring against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and attacks last year in Lebanon, the Syrian Golan Heights and Iran, linked to the conflict.<\/p>\n The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker T\u00fcrk, also issued a statement deploring the widespread simultaneous explosions and stressing the need for de-escalation.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this extremely volatile time, I appeal to all States with influence in the region and beyond to take immediate measures to avert further widening of the current conflicts – enough of the daily horrors, enough of the suffering,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nDe-escalation \u2018more crucial than ever\u2019: UN rights chief<\/strong><\/h2>\n