Iran, Syria discuss stabilising Iraq

DAMASCUS, Oct 29 (Reuters) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss ways to stabilise Iraq and deepen ties between the two countries.

''We discussed the Iraqi issue and the talks were good,'' Mottaki told reporters.

''They focused on the need to end occupation and achieve peace and stability. We also affirmed the needs for Iraqi citizens to determine the fate of their country and support the Iraqi government,'' he said.

US President George W Bush on Wednesday warned Iran and Syria against stoking instability in Iraq and Lebanon.

James Baker, former secretary of state with close ties to the Bush family, is heading an Iraq Study Group that is considering options to give to Bush, including opening a dialogue with Iran and Syria. Bush has rejected that suggestion in the past.

Mottaki is due to meet today with Palestinian groups in Damascus, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Syria and Iran have stepped up their cooperation in the past year as tensions with the United States increased.

Reuters DKS VP0443