Switzerland, which holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October at the request of France, convened the meeting, where UN peacekeeping Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and peacekeeping chief Rosemary DiCarlo briefed delegates on political issues, the situation in Lebanon.
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo said fighting between Israel and Hezbollah fighters has created a humanitarian emergency in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has increased rocket attacks on Israeli cities, while Israel has targeted densely populated areas in the capital Beirut and other cities, causing widespread destruction, displacement and suffering.
Rosemary DeCarlo reports that Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon have resulted in clashes and large numbers of Lebanese civilian casualties. Over three hundred people have died in the past week.
More than a quarter of Lebanon is now under an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military. In some cases people are being given less than two hours to leave their homes, often in the middle of the night.
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo called on Member States to support the $425 million UN surprise appeal, which was launched last week to meet humanitarian needs in Lebanon.
On the brink of war
According to the peacekeeping chief, it is the collective responsibility of the international community to stop the escalating war and bloodshed in Lebanon.
He expressed concern that the entire Middle East region was teetering dangerously on the brink of all-out war. To stop this, extremists must stop attacking Israel, while the Israeli army must withdraw its troops from the ground and stop bombing.
Rosemary DiCarlo says all sides need to put diplomatic options on the table instead of taking up arms.