3:11pm UK, Wednesday February 16, 2005

Iran and Syria say they are to come together to form a "common front to face threats".

The announcement comes as the US increases its pressure on both countries over nuclear weapons and international terrorism.

180 Syrian soldiers in aley lebanon near beirut

US is calling on Syrian troops to leave Lebanon

Iran is accused by the US of trying to produce a nuclear bomb while America accuses Syria of funding terrorism.

"We are ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront threats," Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said in Tehran after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari.

Mr Otari said: "This meeting, which takes place at this sensitive time, is important, especially because Syria and Iran face several challenges and it is necessary to build a common front".

But Syria's ambassador to the US said the alliance was not an anti-American front.

"Today we do not want to form a front against anybody, particularly not against the United States," Imad Moustapha said.

"Syria is trying to engage constructively with the United States ... We are not the enemies of the United States, and we do not want to be drawn into such an enmity."

The announcement comes as US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns called for the "complete and immediate" withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.

The call follows the apparent assassination on Monday of Lebanon's ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

Syria has denied any involvement - Mr Hariri had called on Syria to pull its 16,000 troops out of Lebanon - but America responded by withdrawing its ambassador from Damascus.

Israeli has also warned that Iran is six months from having the knowledge to produce a nuclear bomb.

Tehran, which denies the claims, in turn has accused the US of flying spy drones over its nuclear sites.