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Syria Denounces U.S., Thins Border Presence

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2008

DAMASCUS, Syria - Tens of thousands crowded a Damascus square in a government-orchestrated rally Thursday to denounce a deadly U.S. raid on Syrian territory near Iraq and to send a loud message to America: Leave us alone!

A private Syrian TV station also reported the government was reducing the number of soldiers along its border with Iraq, calling it a move to reduce security cooperation with the United States in the wake of the Sunday attack. It showed troops dismantling positions and leaving the area.

The Syrian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A ranking official Thursday challenged Washington to prove the raid targeted an extremist.

U.S. officials say the attack killed a top al-Qaida figure who organized the movement of fighters and weapons into Iraq, accusing Syria of not doing enough to stop militants from crossing into Iraq.

Syria insists it has done all it can to police a long border.

The Associated Press

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