DUBAI, June 1:In a strategic move, Iraq has suggested formation of a new axis in the Middle-East with its arch rivals, Iran and Syria, saying it will shift the balance of power in favour of Arabs and Iranians.The Babel daily owned by Uday, the powerful eldest son of President Sadam Hussein, said if the two countries, with which Iraq is yet to have full diplomatic ties, align with Baghdad, it will bring prosperity and security to the region and tilt the power balance in their favour.The daily urged Iran and Syria to create a new force to confront Israel as the basis of an alliance for the years to come.Both Iran and Iraq are facing sanctions from the United States which has pursued a dual containment policy against the two countries. The policy has found more opponents in recent times.Iraq fought an eight-year long war with Iran from 1980 and at the height of its confrontation with Kuwait in 1991, sent its fleet of airplanes to Iran for safe custody which Tehran has not returned.The daily said the election of moderate Mohammed Khatami as Iran's new president could mark the beginning of a new chapter in its ties with Arab states. Iran and Iraq are yet to resolve disputes over prisoners of war.Iraq never had smooth relations with Syria, also ruled by the Baath party ever since Saddam took over presidency in 1979.During its war with Iran, Baghdad ended ties with Syria for alleged supply of arms to Tehran and in 1982 Damascus closed its border with Iraq cutting its only access to the Mediterranean through Syria.However, a business delegation from Syria, on a visit to Baghdad recently, said businessmen had nothing to do with politics and were keen to renew trade contacts with Iraq.Babel referred to the visit of the delegation which it said proved that normalisation was well on the cards.
