US warns Iran and Syria over Iraq destabilisation
Condoleezza Rice warned Iran and Syria that the US was not blind to its attempts to destabilise Iraq
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Thursday, 11, Jan 2007 08:10
The US secretary of state has warned Iran and Syria that Washington is prepared to "defend its interests" in Iraq and the wider Middle East region.
Condoleezza Rice's warning to Tehran and Damascus, which she accuses of actively destabilising Iraq, comes after George Bush announced a hardening of policy towards US rivals in the Middle East, as well an extra 21,500 troops in Iraq itself.
Evidence of the president's new policy was witnessed earlier today when helicopter-supported troops launched a raid against the Iranian consulate in the Iraqi town of Irbil, seizing documents and computer equipment in the process.
And speaking ahead of a trip to the Middle East tomorrow, Ms Rice confirmed: "The US will defend its interests and those of our friends and allies in this vital region."
She said that the governments of both Iran and Syria had "chosen to align themselves with the forces of extremism".
"Despite many appeals, including from Syria's fellow Arab states, the leaders in Damascus continue to support terrorism and to destabilise Iraq and their neighbours. The problem here is not a lack of engagement with Syria but a lack of action by Syria," the secretary of state, flanked by newly appointed defence secretary Robert Gates, went on to say.
And on Iran she added: "If the government in Tehran wants to help stabilise the region as it now claims, then it should end it support for violent extremists who destroy the aspirations of innocent Lebanese, Palestinians and Iraqis, and it should end its pursuit of nuclear weapons."
The US has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since its embassy was stormed three decades ago, but Ms Rice offered a potential olive branch to president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today; although suspension of controversial uranium enrichment remains a precursor to talks resuming.
"Until then, the international community must continue to hold the Iranian government accountable," she concluded.