Iran, Syria tighten borders

LONDON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Iran and Syria tightened border and airport controls to help stop Iraqi militants and arms from passing through, Iraq's national security adviser said.

Mowaffak al-Rubbaie revealed the shift in tactics at a conference in Bahrain where he also urged the United States to engage the two nations -- long viewed as security threats -- in stabilizing the volatile region, the Financial Times reported.

"Until they (the United States) engage with Iran and Syria, long-term regional security will be in doubt," Rubbaie said at the conference, organized by London's International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Last week, intelligence reports revealed that Tehran had frozen its nuclear programs in 2003.

U.S. Navy Adm. William Fallon, commander of the United States' Central Command, confirmed a substantial reduction of fighters coming into Iraq through Syria but said he didn't see a "clear change" through Iran, the Financial Times said.

"I believe there's some restraint in the activity of the extremist militias but I don't know the cause and effect," Fallon told the newspaper.