No Syrian role for NATO

WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- A NATO operation in Syria would likely lead to a further militarization of the yearlong conflict, the U.S. ambassador to the alliance said.

The United Nations estimates that more than 9,000 people in Syria have died as a result of violence entering its second year.

The Syrian government says it's combating domestic terrorists, though human rights organizations have suggested the regime is responsible for crimes against humanity committed against the civilian population.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder told reporters there were no plans for a NATO operation in Syria.

NATO forces, operating under the authority of a U.N. Security Council mandate, enforced a no-fly zone over Libya last year. The intervention was aimed at preventing Libyan forces from attacking anti-government demonstrators.

"Unlike Libya, you don't have pockets of the country that can be protected by civilian protection zones," he was quoted by CNN as saying. "You've got security forces intermingled with the population, and that introduction of greater military intervention from outside or arms to groups within Syria could further militarize the conflict in a counterproductive way."

Conflict in Syria is ongoing despite an April agreement to end the hostilities. A team of unarmed U.N. observers is on the ground in Syria to observe the terms of a fragile cease-fire.