WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Syria has agreed to tighten its border with Iraq to stem the flow of fighters into the country, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday.
"The Syrians did agree to take specific actions, in coordination with Iraqi and multinational forces," department spokesman Richard Boucher said. "These steps are designed to close Syria's border to individuals seeking to foment violence and destabilize Iraq."
The deal comes after high-level talks between the two sides. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell met with his Syrian counterpart, Farouk Sharaa, at the United Nations last week, and earlier this month Nicholas Burns, the top U.S. envoy to the Middle East, met with Syrian officials in Damascus to discuss all outstanding issues.
Boucher called the dialogue "constructive and positive," noting action was now needed on the ground.
