Middle East News
Iraqi and Syrian Interior Ministers discuss border security
Dec 16, 2006, 20:41 GMT
Damascus - The Iraqi and Syrian Interior Ministers, Jawad al-Boulani and Bassam Abdul-Majid, met Saturday for talks on improving security on their bprder, Syria's official news agency SANA reported.
In preparation of a bilateral memorandum on security issues, the ministers discussed steps to 'activate cooperation and coordination in the fields of immigration, exchange of expertise and information in combating terrorism and crime,' SANA said. They agreed to set up joint committees on these issues.
The Iraqi minister's visit follows the recent resumption of diplomatic relations between Iraq and Syria after a rupture of more than 24 years.
Syria had stepped up border controls with monitoring posts in a bid to help Iraq achieve security and stability, Abdul-Majid was quoted as saying.
Iraq 'will never be a base for any (actions) that threaten security and stability in Syria,' al-Boulani said, adding Iraq was willing to use Syria's anti-terrorist experience.
Both the United States and Iraq have accused Syria of failing to take sufficient steps to stop militants from infiltrating into Iraq to join insurgents fighting the U.S.-led forces and Iraqi government troops.
Syria has repeatedly denied the charge, complaining that it could not completely seal its border with Iraq. Al-Boulani arrived in Syria on Friday.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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