Allawi tells neighbors to tighten borders

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Prime Minister Ayad Allawi made an unusually strong warning to Iraq's neighbors to crack down on insurgents infiltrating from their territory, saying yesterday that Iraq's patience was wearing thin.

Iraqi officials and the United States have repeatedly accused Syria and Iran of supporting the insurgents waging a campaign of violence against U.S. forces and Allawi's U.S.-backed government. Both countries have denied helping militants or allowing them to cross their borders into Iraq.

But Allawi's comments to Baghdad's Al-Iraqiya television were among his toughest yet.

"Some countries are hosting people who are involved in harming the Iraqi people," he said, without naming any nations. "Harming Iraq and its people is not allowed."

He said his government had contacted the countries and was waiting for their reply. "According to the answers, we will decide what the next step will be," he said.

"Iraq is not a weak country. Iraq is passing through a difficult period but Iraq can respond in a strong way if needed," he said. "Patience has limits and it is beginning to run out."