Iraqi government  spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh told AFP on Thursday that his country has repeatedly requested without success that Syria hand over terror suspects sheltering within its borders and, until it does, relations will suffer.

"The list was given a few times during bilateral security committees, but we always received evasive answers. Iraq will not accept this kind of situation."

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki demanded one last time that Syria hand over those named on the list during a meeting in Damascus on August 18, but he was rebuffed, Dabbagh said, adding, "Our relations with Syria have reached a crossroads of whether they choose to have good relations with Iraq, or whether they choose to protect persons who attack Iraq.”

Iraq will ask the UN and use its remaining relations with Syria to try and ensure that the suspects are handed over, he said. "We are moving on an international level to let the people know that crimes and genocide are launched from countries in the region," Dabbagh added. "The international community must support Iraq to stop those crimes."

-AFP/NOW Staff

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