Iraqi FM concerned over US troops

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says he is worried that the US may pull its troops out before local forces are able to maintain security.

He told the UN Security Council that the US-led Multi-National Force should stay in the country until Iraqi forces were able to do the job themselves.

The Council agreed to continue the mandate of the forces.

Mr Zebari also urged Iraq's neighbours, particularly Syria, to do more to stop foreign extremists crossing into Iraq.

He welcomed the news that Syria had stopped more than 1,000 foreign fighters entering the country.

We need to complete this mission with [US] help. We are getting very close Hoshyar Zebari

But Mr Zebari said this confirmed that Syria was one of their main transit routes.

In Damascus, Syrian Defence Minister Hassan Turkmani denied helping insurgents enter Iraq.

"These are false accusations instigated by enemies," he said.

The MNF includes some 138,000 US troops and more than 22,000 from 27 other countries.

Airport attack

In the latest violence by anti-US insurgents, a suicide bomber exploded his vehicle near the main checkpoint to Baghdad International Airport, injuring seven airport employees.

On Tuesday, US troops found the body of the kidnapped governor of the troubled Anbar province, following clashes with suspected foreign fighters close to the Syrian border.

Four US troops, four Italians and an Iraqi soldier were killed in two separate air crashes.

Iraqi troops have stepped up Operation Lightning, a massive effort to tackle insurgents in Baghdad.

Ten people, including three police commandos, were reported killed during an assault in the capital.

In Mosul, in northern Iraq, a local television anchorman was shot dead, as was a policeman in a separate attack.