UNITED NATIONS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Thursday called on parties concerned to respect a newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

"I think the people of Lebanon have suffered tremendously. ... The population in northern Israel also deserves to live in peace. And we hope that everyone will abide by this ceasefire," said Dujarric.

The spokesman said the United Nations welcomes steps that would end hostilities and suffering on both sides of the Blue Line, a border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel established by the world body in 2000.

"The United Nations, through our political and peacekeeping missions, remains ready to support these efforts and continues to urge the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 ... toward a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict," he said, adding there is no military solution to this conflict. ■