Shareh, at a joint news conference with his Danish counterpart Per Stig Moeller, declined to comment on Rumsfeld's remarks Monday that Syria and Iran were allowing militants to cross into Iraq to carry out anti-coalition attacks.

"This question has been asked several times, we have responded to it several times. The repetition of this question shows that the person who made these accusations has a problem," the Syrian minister said.

During a visit to Baghdad on Monday, Rumsfeld reiterated accusations that Iran and Syria were allowing militants to cross into Iraq.

"Syria and Iran have not been helpful to the people of Iraq," Rumsfeld told journalists. "Indeed they have been unhelpful."

"We know Syria has been a hospitable place for escaping Iraqis" following the US-led invasion of Iraq last year, he added.

Since the US-led war toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in April 2003, Syria has been under enormous pressure from Washington, which accuses Damascus of supporting international terrorism and meddling in Iraqi affairs.

Shara reiterated that "the unity of Iraq was an important question for Syria and for all the neighbors" of Iraq.

"The Iraqi people are capable of directing their own affairs. Syria can offer its help in the areas of security, the economy and services," he added.

WAR.WIRE