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The article focuses on an advice of Staffan de Mistura, United Nations special envoy to Syria, to U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump, regarding paying attention of conditions of Aleppo in Syria to protect the city from supposed risk of attack from Russian -backed Syrian forces.

KABUL -- The Taliban announced that the insurgent group's spring fighting season would begin officially across Afghanistan on Sunday in an unusual news statement that aimed to project an image of strength and concern for civilians, even as NATO warned the public to expect insurgent efforts to launch a major attack. The United Nations special representative, Staffan de Mistura, meanwhile, said both sides should redouble their efforts to avoid killing civilians as the fighting is expected to ratchet up with the arrival of good weather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that United Nations new Iraq envoy, Staffan de Mistura, is stepping up the UN involvement in Iraq. He indicated that he would fast carry out the expanded mission of the organization mandated by the Security Council resolution in August 2007. The mission includes reconciliation between political factions, rehabilitation of refugees and resolution of internal boundary disputes.