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Syria FM: US raid unjustified act of aggression, terrorism

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Oct 27, IRNA

UK-Syrian FM

Syria called Sunday's raid by American helicopters to its territory "an unjustified criminal act of aggression and terrorism".

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem put the responsibility of the criminal attack which claimed the lives of eight civilians in a Syrian village near the border with Iraq on the American government.

He also urged the Iraqi government "not to let Americans use its territory for attacking neighbours".

Moualem told a press conference in London on Monday that his government would not allow another US raid and will defend its territories against any act of aggression.

"They do it in daylight which means it's not a mistake, it is by blind determination. For that we consider this criminal and terrorist aggression," he said, adding that Americans need to investigate the attack and "explain to us why they did that."

Asked whether Syria would take the issue to the United Nations Security Council, Moualem said, "As long as the US is in the Security Council, there is no democracy in international relations".

Referring to the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, the minister said, "In a region in which Americans are present, we should expect such aggressions".

Asked by IRNA about recent diplomatic movements by Syria to ameliorate ties with westerners and its impact on the ties with the Islamic Republic, Moualem said, "We have very good ties with Iran." He noted that both Iran and Syria are having good political ties and will continue it in future.

"We are seeking dialogue with the West and Europeans. At the same time, we have good cooperation with Iran," Moualem said.

Moualem started a two-day visit to London Monday for talks with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

They were scheduled to hold a joint press conference but Miliband opted out, sufficing to say in a statement that "it was the longstanding position of the British government to regret any civilian casualties in respect of reports of an incident on the Syria-Iraq border."