Syria 'not helping insurgents'

2005-06-01 08:05

Damascus - Defence Minister Hassan Turkmani on Tuesday denied claims that Syria is aiding the infiltration of insurgents into Iraq, saying that his country is "concerned" about its neighbour's security situation.

Earlier on Tuesday Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called on Damascus to help "put an end to the flow" of terrorists he says are entering his country from Syria.

Zebari said in a statement read to the United Nations Security Council that Baghdad had "repeatedly urged each of our neighbouring countries to abide by their obligations" under a Security Council resolution to prevent terrorists entering and leaving Iraq, as well as stopping the flow of money and weapons to them.

"Some have been more forthcoming than others in their response," Zebari said.

'Confirms suspicions'

"We have learned recently that Syria has stopped more than a thousand foreign fighters from entering Iraq from Syria. We welcome this action but note that it confirms our long-held view that Syria has been one of the main transit routes for foreign terrorists, as well as for remnants of the previous regime," Zebari said.

"These are false accusations instigated by enemies," defence minister Turkmani countered here, in comments in line with earlier denials from Damascus.

"There is no proof of such allegations," he continued, adding however that his country wants "the end of the occupation in Iraq, and is concerned over its security and unity".

"We denounce these accusations, spread by the enemy, that Syria lends its support to people infiltrating the Iraq-i-Syrian border," Turkmani was quoted as saying by the official Sana news agency, without identifying the "enemies".

Such accusations reinforced Syria's determination "to play its role in the region," he said at a ceremony for the inaugration of new police officers.

Washington and Baghdad have long accused Damascus of doing nothing to prevent the flow of insurgent fighters across the border to Iraq.

- AFP