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Iraq tightens control of Syria-bound trucks
By Nashoor Ali
Azzaman, March 19, 2012
Iraq has put in place new controls to inspect all Syria-bound traffic to ensure that no weapons are smuggled across its border to Syria.
The measures come following reports that Iraqi border points with Syria were being used to smuggle weapons to Syrian insurgents.
“Iraq has in place a new mechanism to inspect all cargo passing via its territory to Syria, whether by land or air,” Iraqi newspapers quoted Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as saying.
But Maliki said Iraq was looking forward to “a political solution” to the crisis in Syria that will “preserve the interests of the Syrian people.”
Meanwhile, some Iraqi deputies are pressing the government to ask the Syrian authorities to repatriate Iraqis currently living in Syria for committing ‘terror’ acts in Iraq.
Kamal al-Saadi, a deputy from the ruling coalition, said the government was exerting “intensive efforts” to persuade the Syrian authorities to hand over “terrorists” residing in Syria and accused of committing violent acts in Iraq.
“While we commend Syrian authorities’ provision of refuge to Iraqi political refugees, we want Damascus to surrender to Iraq individuals involved in bombings targeting innocent people,” Saadi said.
But other deputies doubted Damascus would respond to the Iraqi demand under current circumstances.
“I do not think it is appropriate to ask the Syrian authorities to surrender those wanted by Iraq for committing violence and now living in Syria,” said Ibrahim Dahala.
“We should not use the current conditions to press Syria. That is unethical from an Iraqi viewpoint,” he added.
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By Nashoor Ali
Azzaman, March 19, 2012
Iraq has put in place new controls to inspect all Syria-bound traffic to ensure that no weapons are smuggled across its border to Syria.
The measures come following reports that Iraqi border points with Syria were being used to smuggle weapons to Syrian insurgents.
“Iraq has in place a new mechanism to inspect all cargo passing via its territory to Syria, whether by land or air,” Iraqi newspapers quoted Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as saying.
But Maliki said Iraq was looking forward to “a political solution” to the crisis in Syria that will “preserve the interests of the Syrian people.”
Meanwhile, some Iraqi deputies are pressing the government to ask the Syrian authorities to repatriate Iraqis currently living in Syria for committing ‘terror’ acts in Iraq.
Kamal al-Saadi, a deputy from the ruling coalition, said the government was exerting “intensive efforts” to persuade the Syrian authorities to hand over “terrorists” residing in Syria and accused of committing violent acts in Iraq.
“While we commend Syrian authorities’ provision of refuge to Iraqi political refugees, we want Damascus to surrender to Iraq individuals involved in bombings targeting innocent people,” Saadi said.
But other deputies doubted Damascus would respond to the Iraqi demand under current circumstances.
“I do not think it is appropriate to ask the Syrian authorities to surrender those wanted by Iraq for committing violence and now living in Syria,” said Ibrahim Dahala.
“We should not use the current conditions to press Syria. That is unethical from an Iraqi viewpoint,” he added.
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