29-03-2024 11:17 AM Jerusalem Timing

Brahimi Warns from Beirut: Syrian Conflict could Set Region Ablaze

Brahimi Warns from Beirut: Syrian Conflict could Set Region Ablaze

As he arrived in Beirut on the latest leg of his second regional tour, International peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi warned that Syria’s 19-month conflict could set the entire region ablaze.

Lakhdar Brahimi

As he arrived in Beirut on the latest leg of his second regional tour, International peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi warned that Syria's 19-month conflict could set the entire region ablaze.

"This crisis cannot remain confined within Syrian territory," Brahimi told reporters on Wednesday. "Either it is solved, or it gets worse... and sets [the region] ablaze. A truce for [the Muslim holiday of] Eid al-Adha would be a microscopic step on the road to solving the Syria crisis."

"The Syrian people, on both sides, are burying some 100 people a day," he said on Wednesday.

"Can we not ask that this toll falls for this holiday? This will not be a happy holiday for the Syrians, but we should at least strive to make it less sad."

"If the Syrian government accepts, and I understand there is hope, and if the opposition accepts," a truce would be a step "towards a more global ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy artillery, a stop to the flow of foreign weapons, and then towards a political solution in Syria," Brahimi said.

On Monday, Brahimi called for a temporary ceasefire in Syria during the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday starting on October 26. Syria said it is prepared to discuss the proposal in talks with Brahimi.

The UN envoy met with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati before he departed.

Before Lebanon visit, Brahimi visited Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Egypt in a bid to implement his proposed ceasefire.