UNITED NATIONS — Conflicts today are longer — more than 20 years on average — and often involve multiple armed groups competing for control of government institutions, natural resources and territory, the UN chief said Wednesday. While there has been a long-term decline in the number of armed conflicts, Guterres said "conflicts have surged" in the Middle East and parts of Africa. Guterres said political factions and armed groups are also multiplying, with hundreds of armed factions in Syria alone. "Conflicts are more linked with each other, and with the worldwide threat of terrorism," he said. Guterres said the UN must rethink its approaches to respond to the changing nature of conflicts — and prevention must be the key.

Source: Philippine Star December 20, 2017 23:26 UTC