Bush backs down and asks Iran and Syria to help stop the killing

by DAVID GARDNER

Last updated at 11:36 01 March 2007


President Bush has caved in to pressure to ask Iran and Syria for help to stop the violence in Iraq.

The U-turn comes only weeks after the White House refused to talk to nations it accused of fuelling the insurgency.

More here:

• Iranian president blames U.S. and Israel for international problems

• Iran, Syria expected to join U.S. at Baghdad talks next month

• Bomber in bid to kill Cheney

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice confirmed Iranian and Syrian leaders were being invited to "a neighbours' meeting" next month.

It follows weeks of diplomatic pressure from Tony Blair, who has pushed Mr Bush to embrace Iraq's neighbours in an attempt to stem the bloodshed.

Miss Rice told the Senate Appropriations Committee that success in Iraq "requires the support of Iraq's neighbours".

She said: "We are also supporting the Iraqis in a new diplomatic offensive: to build greater support, both within the region and beyond, for peace and prosperity in Iraq."

The meeting is due to be held in mid-March and will include members of the Arab League and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, including Britain and the U.S.

In recent weeks, the Bush administration has increased its criticism of Iran's role in Iraq, accusing it of supplying the region with weapons.

President Bush has also accused Syria of harbouring anti-Iraqi government forces and allowing weapons to cross its border.

Vice-President Dick Cheney was targeted by a suicide bomber during a trip to Afghanistan.

At least 14 people were killed and 11 wounded in the attack outside a U.S. military base at Bagram yesterday.

Mr Cheney said: "At 10am I heard a loud boom. I was moved for a relatively brief period of time to one of the bomb shelters nearby. As the situation settled down I went back to my room."

A Taliban spokesman confirmed Mr Cheney had been the intended target.

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