US urges Iraq to inspect Iran supply flights to Syria
US officials are questioning Iraq about Iranian flights in Iraqi airspace suspected of ferrying weapons to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose conflict with rebels threatens to drag his neighbours into a regional struggle.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government is close to the regional Shi'ite power Iran, Assad's main ally, and he has opposed demands by Sunni Arab Gulf nations that Assad step down to end the escalating conflict over his rule. (Reuters)
