Syria vows to stabilise Iraq, condemns rebels

Damascus, Jan 21: Syria yesterday condemned insurgent attacks on the US-backed Iraqi army and security forces, describing them as ''terrorism'', in another shift in the Damascus government's position toward its neighbour.

In a communique issued at the end of a visit by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Damascus, Syria vowed to try to help stop civil strife in Iraq, despite having opposed the US-led invasion that removed late president Saddam Hussein from power in 2003 but ushered in sectarian conflict.

Talabani left Syria earlier today after a six-day visit aimed at securing what Iraqi officials described as a more explicit backing for the Iraqi government and closer security and economic cooperation.

''The two sides affirmed the need to preserve Iraqi unity and condemned all forms of terrorism that target Iraqi civilians, infrastructure, places of worship, army and security,'' a joint communique said.

''President Assad affirmed that Syria will exert all its efforts to help the process of national reconciliation and spread the suitable political and media climate to achieve this noble goal.'' Syria, under US pressure to stop what Washington describes as a flow of insurgents and weapons to Iraq across the Syrian border, has recently adopted a friendlier tone to the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad.

Damascus, which has links to a number of political forces in Iraq, as well as former Baathists, has stopped calling for an immediate US troop withdrawal from Iraq and signed an accord in November accepting US forces should stay as long as the Iraqi government needed them.

Today's communique said Iraq had to rebuild its army and disband sectarian militia before the foreign military presence in the country could end.

''Syria's readiness to stand with the brothers in Iraq is driven by the conviction that the security situation in one country affects the other,'' the communique said.

Iraq and Syria re-opened embassies in each other's capitals last month after a breach in diplomatic ties dating from the 1980s when Syria, alone in the Arab world, sided with Tehran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

Hundreds of former Iraqi officials and military officers of the Saddam-era government have taken refuge in Syria. Damascus has been strengthening its links with Shi'ite-led Iran, which supports major figures in the Iraqi government.

Talabani told Reuters on Thursday Iraq would ask Syria to hand over Saddam aides suspected of stealing millions of dollars and helping the anti-US insurgency. Syrian officials have not indicated whether Damascus will accept the request.

REUTERS

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