Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used his influence with Hezbollah to prevent the group from taking action during Israel's deadly onslaught on Gaza, a French envoy said on Wednesday.

"President Assad told me he exerted his influence to ensure Hezbollah adopted a responsible attitude and showed restraint during the events in Gaza," President Nicolas Sarkozy's envoy Senator Philippe Marini told reporters in Beirut.

"Syria's role has been positive," Marini said after a visit to Damascus, noting that the Gaza conflict had not spread across the region.

-AFP