US: President Bush yesterday accused Syria and Iran of supporting "terrorists" who undermine Middle East peace efforts, and said countries continuing this practice would be held accountable.
"Today Syria and Iran continue to harbour and assist terrorists. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and states that support terror will be held accountable," Mr Bush said at a news conference at his Texas ranch with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Mr Bush has branded Iran - along with North Korea and the Iraq of ousted president Saddam Hussein - as a member of an "axis of evil" that threatens to spread terrorism. Washington charges Iran is not doing enough against the militant al-Qaeda network.
US officials have also accused Syria of backing Palestinian and Lebanese groups it classifies as terrorist, concerned their conflict with Israel could endanger the Middle East peace process.
Mr Bush urged Middle Eastern governments including Syria and Iran to support the peace efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
"Both Prime Minister Abbas and Prime Minister Sharon are showing leadership and courage. Now it's time for governments across the Middle East to support the efforts of these two men by fighting terror in all its forms," Mr Bush said.
Meanwhile, Iraq's week-old governing council failed to pick a leader in five hours of talks yesterday, leaving unclear whether it was any nearer to taking back some responsibilities from US-led occupying forces. A member of one party represented on the US-appointed council said members had discussed a draft "political statement".
The council has yet to agree on its own internal structure, choose a leader or name ministers to prepare for a handover of powers from the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority.
"Today's meeting was focused mainly on the discussions of a draft of the political statement, which was prepared by a committee set up by the council," said Mr Hoshiyar Zebari, political adviser to Mr Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and one of the 25 council members.