United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and respect for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “A full-scale war in Lebanon must be avoided at all costs,” Dujarric said.

He said Guterres spoke earlier Tuesday with Lebanon's acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati and told him that the UN was ready to help those in need.

“The secretary-general will continue his contacts and his representatives on the ground will also continue their efforts to de-escalate the situation,” Dujarric said.