UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned of ongoing military escalation across the Middle East and Gulf regions spreading "beyond anyone's control."

"All the unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians throughout the region – and pose a grave risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable people," Guterres said in a statement.

Noting that "the situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control," he told all parties that "it is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations."

"The stakes could not be higher," he added.

Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference that the UN chief will continue his contacts with relevant parties "to push for a return to serious negotiations."

When asked how much worse the situation could get, Dujarric said: "It doesn't take much imagination to see how this situation could get even worse, whether it's threatening the unity of certain member states, the continuing suffering of civilians, or also the deteriorating situation around the Strait of Hormuz."

Pointing to the possible effect on the energy supplies, he said its impact would be felt globally and noted: "We're already seeing a spike in oil prices and the impact it will have given our continued addiction to fossil fuels."

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Dujarric further reported "widespread displacement orders" in Lebanon, causing "increasing strain" on civilians.

"Ongoing airstrikes across the country are killing and injuring dozens of people," he said, adding: "Across the country, more than 100,000 people are now sheltering in collective centers."

On health services, Dujarric reported that "hospitals in South Beirut were forced to suspend operations and evacuate patients on March 5 and remain non-operational today." (AA)

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