The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Trk, on Monday expressed deep concern over the escalating risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East, urging all parties and influential states to take immediate action to de-escalate the precarious situation. "I am deeply worried about the rising risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and plead with all parties, along with those States with influence, to act urgently to de-escalate what has become a very precarious situation," Trk stated. Emphasizing the paramount importance of human rights, he highlighted the urgent need to protect civilians, particularly women and children, who have already suffered immensely from ongoing violence over the past ten months. "Human rights - first and foremost the protection of civilians - must be the top priority," he insisted. "Everything, and I mean everything, must be done to avoid this situation spiraling further into an abyss that will only have even more terrible consequences for civilians." Source: National News Agency - Lebanon