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11-25-2005, 10:56 AM
http://gulfnews.com/Images/logos/gulfnews/nameplate.gif (http://www.gulfnews.com/) http://gulfnews.com/Images/logos/gulfnews/orangeindicator.gifDamascus told to detain insurgents fleeing from IraqBaghdad | AP | 25/11/2005 | Print this page (javascript:window.print())
The Iraqi government yesterday called on Syria to detain "dangerous" insurgents who fled across the border to escape a joint US-Iraqi military operation in the area this month. Government spokesman Laith Kubba also said that insurgent attacks are expected to rise before the December 15 general elections. He said attacks by "Muslim extremists and Saddam [Hussain's] criminals" will be their last stand.
Kubba said after the elections there will be a fully constitutional elected government and parliament representing all provinces of Iraq as well as a reconciliation conference early next year.
"Muslim extremists will be surrounded then wiped out," he said, adding that "I don't think this will happen in a short period."
US and Iraqi officials have accused Syria for months of allowing foreign fighters to cross into Iraq.
Kubba said yesterday that "some elements" had slipped back across the frontier into Syrian sanctuaries "so we ask the Syrian government to capture them and hand them over."
"Those elements that crossed into Syria are dangerous and some are wanted for crimes that they have committed," he said.
Some 2,500 US troops and 1,000 Iraqi soldiers launched "Operation Steel Curtain" on November 5 in several towns near the Syrian border.
The US military said 10 US Marines and 139 insurgents were killed in the operation, which ended last week.
"No one is accusing the Syrian government but we expect from the Syrian government a better performance," Kubba said.
© Al Nisr Publishing LLC - Gulf News Online | contact editor@gulfnews.com
The Iraqi government yesterday called on Syria to detain "dangerous" insurgents who fled across the border to escape a joint US-Iraqi military operation in the area this month. Government spokesman Laith Kubba also said that insurgent attacks are expected to rise before the December 15 general elections. He said attacks by "Muslim extremists and Saddam [Hussain's] criminals" will be their last stand.
Kubba said after the elections there will be a fully constitutional elected government and parliament representing all provinces of Iraq as well as a reconciliation conference early next year.
"Muslim extremists will be surrounded then wiped out," he said, adding that "I don't think this will happen in a short period."
US and Iraqi officials have accused Syria for months of allowing foreign fighters to cross into Iraq.
Kubba said yesterday that "some elements" had slipped back across the frontier into Syrian sanctuaries "so we ask the Syrian government to capture them and hand them over."
"Those elements that crossed into Syria are dangerous and some are wanted for crimes that they have committed," he said.
Some 2,500 US troops and 1,000 Iraqi soldiers launched "Operation Steel Curtain" on November 5 in several towns near the Syrian border.
The US military said 10 US Marines and 139 insurgents were killed in the operation, which ended last week.
"No one is accusing the Syrian government but we expect from the Syrian government a better performance," Kubba said.
© Al Nisr Publishing LLC - Gulf News Online | contact editor@gulfnews.com