Iraq and its neighbours pledge to boost security

By Suleiman al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) - Iraq's neighbours, including Syria and Iran, are doing a better job of stopping the flow of people and money linked to insurgent violence across their porous borders, Iraq's interior minister said Thursday.

In contrast to the past, when Baghdad and Washington accused some regional governments of allowing militants and suspicious funds into Iraq, Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani praised what he called the start of a "concerted regional effort to address terrorist threats."

"Cooperation and coordination is now better," he said in a speech at a meeting of interior ministers from Iraq and its neighbours.

But Bolani told his counterparts they had to live up to old promises to beef up intelligence and enforce tighter border controls, despite improved domestic security more than five years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled former leader Saddam Hussein.

Syria, which had been accused of fomenting violence in Iraq, said it was supporting efforts to stabilise the country where violence has dropped to four-year lows after an increase in U.S. troop levels, known as the surge.

"Our ties have witnessed a qualitative improvement and Syria will continue to help Iraq to eliminate terrorism and refuses to be a launching pad for threats against Iraq," Syrian Interior Minister Bassam Abdel Majeed said.

Reflecting a new rapprochement between Shi'ite-led Iraq and its Sunni Muslim neighbours, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan praised Baghdad for helping stabilise the country.

"The reduction in terrorism in Iraq is due to the sacrifices of Iraqi security forces and they deserve every thanks," Sheikh Jaber Khaled al-Sabah, Kuwait's interior minister, said.