Anadoul agency quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as warning against any further escalation after the U.S., U.K., and France jointly launched airstrikes targeting the Assad regime's alleged chemical weapons capabilities in Syria.
“I have been following closely the reports of airstrikes in Syria conducted by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom," Guterres said in a written statement Friday.
“I call on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility,” Guterres said.
"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people.”
In an earlier statement, the UN chief said a new Cold War had begun in the wake of a deadly suspected chemical attack in Syria.
"The Cold War is back -- with a vengeance but with a difference," Guterres told the Security Council during a meeting requested by Russia.