Iraq: Regional stability depends on stable Syria

Regional stability is interlinked with stability in Syria, Iraq's prime minister said, calling for stronger economic ties at a time when the EU and US have stepped up sanctions on Damascus. "The stability of the region as a whole is related to the stability and security of Syria," Nuri al-Maliki told a delegation of Syrian businessmen in Baghdad on Monday, his office said in a statement. The prime minister called for the two Arab states "to activate all fields of cooperation, especially in the sectors of the economy and business." Trade between the neighbours totaled $6 billion last year. "We have confidence in the ability of our Syrian brothers -- whether the people or their leadership -- to overcome the challenges they face," the Iraqi leader said. "Continuing reforms and dialogue are guaranteed to bring security and stability" to Syria, he added. Syrian activists say more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in a government crackdown since the March 15 outbreak of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The European Union and United States have this month both slapped fresh sanctions on Syria.