This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6985733.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iraq seeks stronger regional ties Iraq urges action on infiltrators
(about 7 hours later)
A meeting between the countries which neighbour Iraq, including Syria and Iran, has opened in Baghdad. Iraq has urged neighbouring countries to help secure its borders and prevent the infiltration of insurgents.
The countries' foreign ministers or their appointees are there, along with envoys from the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari made the call at an international security conference in Baghdad that brings together Syria, Iran and the US.
The gathering, which follows one six months ago in the Iraqi capital, is also being attended by the Arab League and G8, which includes the US. Mr Zebari warned that violence could spread through the region if killers and terrorists were not stopped.
On the agenda are the large numbers of refugees, energy problems, and security issues, such as border controls. The meeting comes a day before the US's top general in Iraq testifies on the impact of the latest troop increase.
The conference was opened by Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. Also on the agenda at the Baghdad conference are the large numbers of refugees and the country's energy problems.
He called upon the attendees to "work seriously towards the objectives that they had gathered for". The neighbouring countries' foreign ministers or their appointees are attending, along with envoys from the UN Security Council, the Arab League and G8, which includes the US.
And he warned that the violence affecting Iraq was a threat to the region as a whole. Efforts should be exerted to tighten the noose on terrorism Hoshiyar ZebariIraq Foreign Minister
Chance for dialogue The first such conference was in Baghdad in March this year. It provided Syria, Iran and the United States with the opportunity to meet informally and discuss Iraq.
The first conference was in Baghdad in March this year. That conference was followed up in May by a similar high level gathering at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
It provided Syria, Iran and the United States with the opportunity to meet informally and discuss Iraq.
The Baghdad conference was followed up in May by a similar high level gathering at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
One outcome of that was the International Compact for Iraq - a UN sponsored, five-year national plan to help to consolidate peace, governance and reconstruction in Iraq.One outcome of that was the International Compact for Iraq - a UN sponsored, five-year national plan to help to consolidate peace, governance and reconstruction in Iraq.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari says that the conferences were essential for reducing regional tension and providing an opportunity for dialogue between Iraq's neighbours, especially Iran and Syria and other countries involved, like the United States. No names
"The meeting is very important to us," Mr Zebari told the AFP news agency at the opening of the latest talks. "Everyone is talking about reconciliation but Iraq also needs to reconcile with its neighbours." "Despite our emphasis on national reconciliation at home we also need to be reconciled with our neighbourhood, with the international community at large," Mr Zebari said in his opening speech.
Iran in a particular has been repeatedly accused by the US military of fomenting violence in Iraq through the funding, training and arming of militants in Iraq. "This is a critical period for us that we need your support, your commitment especially for our immediate neighbours.
The US has also accused both Iran and Syria of failing to stop foreign fighters from crossing their borders into Iraq. Energy security is vital for Iraq"There should be an active and practical contribution to controlling borders and banning terrorist and criminal infiltrators from getting into Iraqi territory.
"Efforts should be exerted to tighten the noose on terrorism," he said - as "the fire that terrorists and criminals are setting in the land of the two rivers [Iraq] will extend outside it."
Mr Zebari said Iraq would also ban the infiltration of militants into neighbouring countries. He did not identify any country by name.
However, in the past, the US has accused both Syria and Iran of failing to stop foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq or supplying them with weapons - claims they deny.