Syria vows to help stabilise Iraq, condemns rebels

Very interesting article. This is the first time Syria has come out so strongly against the insurgents. Now if only Bush would talk with Syria, but...

Syria on Saturday condemned insurgent attacks on the U.S.-backed Iraqi army and security forces, describing them as "terrorism", in another shift in the Damascus government's position toward its neighbour.

In a communique issued at the end of a visit by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Damascus, Syria vowed to try to help stop civil strife in Iraq, despite having opposed the U.S.-led invasion that removed late president Saddam Hussein from power in 2003 but ushered in sectarian conflict.

Talabani left Syria earlier on Saturday after a six-day visit aimed at securing what Iraqi officials described as a more explicit backing for the Iraqi government and closer security and economic cooperation.

"The two sides affirmed the need to preserve Iraqi unity and condemned all forms of terrorism that target Iraqi civilians, infrastructure, places of worship, army and security," a joint communique said.

"President Assad affirmed that Syria will exert all its efforts to help the process of national reconciliation and spread the suitable political and media climate to achieve this noble goal."

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