Hezbollah wary of Syrian spillover

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BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A political solution to the civil war in Syria would be a benefit to Lebanon and the entire Middle East region, a Hezbollah leader said Friday.

Turkish forces have increased border monitoring following mortar fire last week from Syria left five civilians dead. U.N. and international leaders have expressed concern the Syrian war could spill over the borders.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Friday there was "no other solution" apart from a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

"Such solution would be for the benefit of Lebanon and the whole region as well," he was quoted by The Daily Star newspaper in Lebanon as saying.

In September, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah for allegedly providing training and logistical support to the Syrian military.

Kamel Rafai, a member of the Lebanese Parliament from Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, told the Lebanese newspaper this week the movement has a "basic rule" that prohibits fighting against any entity outside of Israel.

The United Nations estimates around 18,000 people have died as a result of the 18-month civil war in Syria. The government there says it's fighting an armed resistance.