Iraq's neighbours call for order

Iraq's interim foreign minister turned down his invitation

The foreign ministers of seven Middle Eastern countries have denounced attacks targeting civilians and humanitarian organisations in Iraq.

The ministers from countries bordering Iraq held talks in the Syrian capital.

They called for a greater role for the United Nations in Iraq and urged US-led forces to restore security quickly.

The ministers rejected American charges - repeated by top US administrator Paul Bremer on Sunday - that Syria and Iran allowed foreign infiltrators into Iraq.

Syria could make a much better job of thwarting these infiltrators and sealing the border, Mr Bremer told American CNN television.

"We have certainly got, because we have captured and killed them, members of al-Qaeda who may be coming in from Syria, we suspect," he said.

Foreign fighters were travelling on passports from Yemen, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, he added.

Diplomatic tensions

Syria, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait share a border with Iraq. Egypt was the only country at the Damascus talks that does not.

The ministers did not comment on attacks on US military personnel in Iraq.

The BBC's Heba Saleh says that in the eyes of their populations, Iraq is occupied and attacks against foreign invaders are legitimate.

If someone tells you at nearly one in the morning that he invites you to Damascus where the meeting starts the next day at 10 in the morning, it means that this is not an invitation Hoshyar Zebari Interim Iraqi Foreign Minister

The US-appointed Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, had wanted to raise the issue of foreign infiltrators at the meeting, but he stayed away, saying he had not received a proper invitation.

Syria had initially wanted to exclude him so as not to legitimise the American-appointed Governing Council in Iraq.

Under pressure from the other participants, two last-minute invitations were extended to Mr Zebari but he turned them down.

Despite this, the seven foreign ministers pledged to support the governing council until an elected government could take over.

Turkey has offered to send 10,000 troops to help the US secure Iraq. But the plan is on hold as it has prompted an outcry from Iraqis and some neighbouring countries.