Iraq warns of terror threat in Syria

BAGHDAD, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said terrorists are posing a grave threat to unity and national security in neighboring Syria.

Maliki said Tuesday the Iraqi people are called on to stand in opposition to government threats in neighboring Syria, in the grips of civil war since early 2011.

"We have warned against the terrorist groups in Syria since the beginning of the events and said that they pose risks on Syria and its unity and society," he was quoted as saying by the official Syrian Arab News Agency.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said last week rebel forces were suspected of summarily executing Syrian soldiers last month. Some of the rebel elements in Syria are associated with al-Qaida.

Both parties to the conflict are suspected of committing war crimes. The British government said it had evidence the use of chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, was sanctioned by Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Assad said Monday there is no room for political solutions to the crisis when his military is fighting terrorist organizations.

"There can be no solution when dealing with terrorism except that of striking with an iron fist," he said.