'US holds talks with Syria to stabilise Iraq'

Talks could even lead to joint US-Syrian patrols along Iraq's border with Syria, which the United States accuses of supporting terrorism, interfering in Lebanon and violating human rights, Time quoted a senior US official as saying.

The United States has complained that militants, money and weapons have crossed into Iraq from Syria, fueling the insurgency against US troops. Senior US officials met last week in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Time said, was interested in possible military cooperation.

Spokespersons for the US State and Defence Departments said on Sunday they were unaware of the Time report and had no comment.

Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who is visiting Washington this week, has sought to win regional cooperation to stem the insurgency in Iraq, which US officials believe is designed to prevent Iraqi elections from being held by January.