Syria Criticises Iraqi-US Security Pact

The Syrian media stepped up their criticism of the Iraqi-United States security pact this week.



In an editorial published on November 17, Al-Thawra editor-in-chief Asad Abud expressed concerns that the agreement could be used as a gateway for US intervention in the region. He said any agreement that Iraq concluded with the Americans must not harm its neighbours.



The Iraqi cabinet this week approved the pact, allowing US troops to remain for three more years. The country’s parliament is currently debating the deal.



Syrian information minister Mohsen Bilal criticised the agreement during a meeting of Arab ministers this week, the website All4Syria reported on November 17. All4Syria reported that journalists were “shocked” when Bilal and Iraqi communications minister Faruq Abd al-Qadr publicly bickered over the agreement during the meeting. After Bilal said security pact legitimised the US occupation of Iraq, Qadr accused him of meddling in his country’s affairs and challenging its sovereignty.



Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa reportedly intervened to stop the argument.



Journalists told the website that the Syrian leadership may not have approved of Bilal’s comments, given that Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari’s recent visit to Damascus was seen as a step towards easing tensions between the two neighbouring states.