Syria Willing To Cooperate With Iraq: P.M.

DAMASCUS, July 23 (AFP) - The withdrawal of the multinational force in Iraq will help to end violence there, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri said Friday, reaffirming his country's willingness to cooperate with its Iraqi neighbour.
"The withdrawal of the forces of occupation is an essential element which will help to end anarchy, murder and violence in Iraq," the official was quoted as saying during a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
"The withdrawal of the occupation forces from Iraq will create security and stability in the region", he was quoted as saying by the official Sana news agency.
The United States has accused Syria of supporting the militants fighting the multinational force in Iraq, but Syria denies this charge.
Otri said his country favoured "any cooperation with Iraq that would strengthen the two countries' capacities in the economic, trade and industrial fields."
"Enemies of Iraq and the Arab nation, such as as Israel, are behind the instability in Iraq," he charged.
Syria was "at the side of Iraq at this difficult stage ... and will remain committed to the unity of the Iraqi people and territory."
Speaking of "unlimited" scope for cooperation between Iraq and Syria, Otri appealed for new efforts to resume bilateral strategic projects covering transport, energy, oil and irrigation.
Allawi was quoted by Sana as stressing Iraq's desire to extend cooperation with Syria and appealing "for an end to the difficulties hindering this cooperation."
Allawi arrived here from Cairo as part of his first tour abroad since his appointment last month.
He was scheduled to meet Syrian President Basher al-Assad on Saturday.
Security on the Iraqi-Syrian frontier and the question of Iraqi money deposited in Syrian banks were expected to figure in the talks, according to a western diplomat who wished to remain anonymous.