Syria denies links to Iraq insurgents as feud escalates

BAGHDAD - Syria rejected Iraqi allegations that it has been used as a launching pad for violence in Iraq, while Iraq's foreign minister insisted yesterday that Damascus turn over suspected insurgent operatives and warned that failure to do so would be considered "unfriendly."

The tension, which was sparked by deadly suicide attacks on government ministries in Baghdad less than two weeks ago, threatens to set back efforts to persuade Damascus to help Iraq.

It could also complicate the Obama administration's recent attempts to improve relations with Syria.

The United States has long been concerned about the infiltration of foreign fighters through Syria into Iraq, and Syria's cooperation is vital for securing parts of northern Iraq where violence has remained high, such as Mosul.

The Iraqi government has blamed an alliance of al-Qaeda in Iraq and Saddam Hussein loyalists who it says are based in Syria for the Aug. 19 ministry bombings, which killed about 100 people.

Iraq has demanded that Syria extradite the suspects, but Damascus has said the allegations are politically motivated and demanded proof.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu shuttled between Iraq and Syria yesterday trying to reduce tension, but the two countries continued to trade accusations.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sharply criticized Iraq for linking his country to the bombings without providing the evidence that Syria has demanded.

"When Syria is accused of killing Iraqis at a time it's hosting around 1.2 million Iraqis . . . the least that can be said about this accusation is that it's immoral," Assad said yesterday during a news conference in Damascus with visiting Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias.

The dispute was compounded when Iraqi authorities broadcast a confession Sunday from a detained Saudi man who said he received militant training in Syria.

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari insisted the Iraqis were not accusing the Syrian government of involvement.

"Our accusation is directed toward the people in the Syrian territories who are involved in the explosions, and we consider the Syrian stance of hosting them as unfriendly," Zebari said.

But he added that the relations between the two countries "have not reached the point of no return."

Syria is home to a number of Iraqis who were mid-ranking and senior members of Hussein's outlawed Baath Party. Iraqi officials say Damascus allows them to live and engage in political activity in Syria.