DAMASCUS, Nov 24, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The UN special envoy for Syria said on
Sunday that it was "extremely critical" to end the fighting in Lebanon and
Gaza to avoid the country being pulled into a regional war.

"We need now to make sure that we have immediately a ceasefire in Gaza, that
we have a ceasefire in Lebanon, and that we avoid Syria being dragged even
further into the conflict," said Geir Otto Pedersen ahead of a meeting with
the Syrian foreign minister in Damascus.

Since Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of
strikes in the country, mainly targeting the army and Iran-backed groups.

The Israeli military has intensified its strikes on targets in Syria since
its conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon escalated
into full-scale war in late September after almost a year of cross-border
hostilities.

A Syrian war monitor on Friday said Israeli strikes on the city of Palmyra
earlier in the week killed 92 pro-Iran fighters, after a United Nations
representative said the attack was likely the deadliest to date.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has repeatedly said
it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in the country.