Iraq shutting borders with Iran, Syria-US military

BAGHDAD, Feb 15 (Reuters) Iraq has begun closing its borders with Iran and Syria as part of a security crackdown aimed at stopping the flow of foreign fighters and weapons into the country, the US military said today.

''The plan to close the borders went into effect last night.

Many points were closed, but I can't confirm that all were shut,'' Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver told Reuters.

Iraq had said it would shut the borders for 72 hours. The US military said yesterday the aim was to allow the layout of border positions to be revamped.

REUTERS BDP VC1420