Former Baathists directing, financing Iraqi insurgency from Syria: US general

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (AFP) - A group of former senior Iraqi Baathist leaders, including former general Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, are directing and financing the insurgency in Iraq out of Syria "with impunity," the top US commander in Iraq said Thursday.
General George Casey said al-Douri was moving "back and forth" between Syria and Iraq.
"We have fairly good information that there are senior former Baathists, members of what they call the 'New Regional Command' operating out of Syria with impunity, and providing direction and financing to the insurgency in Iraq. That needs to stop," Casey told reporters here.

12/16/2004 21:05 GMT - AFP