UN Envoy Warns of Spread of Syria’s Violence
Published at(BEIRUT) — Desperate to forge an agreement that would mean a four-day respite from violence in Syria, the United Nation’s special envoy warned on Wednesday that the 19-month conflict is on the verge of spilling over into the entire region.
Lakhdar Brahimi, who was in Beirut to present his plan to Lebanese leaders, said, “This crisis cannot remain within Syrian borders indefinitely. Either it will be addressed or it will increase…and be all-consuming.”
An estimated 30,000 people have been killed since March 2011 and the death toll has increased exponentially over the past two months, with at least 1,000 fatalities reported per week.
Brahimi has been traveling through the Middle East getting the Arab League and Iran to sign off on his plan calling for a ceasefire in Syria over four days during the Islamic feast holiday of Eid al-Adha beginning next week.
As for the main parties, Brahimi suggested that President Bashar al-Assad is leaning towards the temporary armistice but worries that opposition forces won’t abide by it. Conversely, the rebels have said they’d agree but doubt that government forces will keep the peace.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio