Iraq concerned at situation in Syria

Iraq Friday voiced its deep concern at the worsening situation in neighbouring Syria, saying the ongoing conflict is "a serious threat" to its security, and called for a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Vice President of Iraq Khudheir Al-Khuzaie made the remarks while speaking at the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, which entered its fourth day here Friday, Xinhua reported.

"We in Iraq, whose people suffered tremendously from the horrors of war caused by the recklessness and follies of the defunct Saddam regime, are deeply concerned by the worsening events and tense situation on our borders with Syria, a country with which we have over 600-km-long borders," he said.

"This is why we consider the Syrian conflict a serious threat to our security, stability and the integrity of our land and people."

Al-Khuzaie invited the international community to "support the Iraqi initiative... to serve peace, security, stability and prosperity".

The Syria crisis, which broke out in March 2011, has reportedly left some 100,000 people killed and prompted a massive influx of Syrian refugees into neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.