Iraq Embassy in Syria Opens for Business

[thedrifter]

Apr 12, 8:57 AM EDT

Iraq Embassy in Syria Opens for Business


DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The Iraqi Embassy opened for business Saturday - absent the outdoor portraits of Saddam Hussein. An official Syrian newspaper said Iraqis in Baghdad were only catching their breath to strike back at "invading forces."

Embassy employees took down the pictures that adorned the embassy walls on Friday while the offices were closed as usual for the Muslim day of prayer. But work resumed Saturday and an employee said the embassy was still issuing visas to foreigners and documents to Iraqi citizens.

Syria has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the U.S.-led war against Iraq, and the U.S. officials have accused the Arab state of sending military equipment to the Iraqis, something that Syria denied. American officials have also accused Syria of giving shelter to senior Iraqi officials.

Coalition forces entered the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Wednesday after facing little resistance, shocking many Arabs.

In a front-page editorial, Al-Thawra government newspaper said Iraqis, "who were bloodied by the catastrophe, will catch their breaths once again and will deal painful blows to invading forces."

The newspaper said: "The collapse of Baghdad ... will be followed by other rounds that will certainly be resolved in favor of the owners of the land."


Sempers,

Roger