US President George W. Bush threatened to step up diplomatic and economic pressure on Syria on Monday over interference in the election process in Iraq.

"We have sent messages to the Syrians in the past and we will continue to do so. We have tools at our disposal -- a variety of tools, ranging from diplomatic tools to economic pressure. Nothing's taken off the table," Bush told a news conference.

Last week, Bush urged Iran and Syria not to meddle in internal affairs of Iraq, warning the two countries that "meddling in the internal affairs of Iraq is not in their interest".

Bush made the remarks soon after Iraqi Defense Minister Hazem Shaalan accused neighboring Iran and Syria of supporting insurgents and terrorists in Iraq.

Shaalan accused Iranian and Syrian intelligence agents, plus operatives of deposed leader Saddam Hussein's security forces, of "cooperating with the al-Zarqawi group to run criminal operations in Iraq," adding that Syria and Iran was providing funds and training.

Both Iran and Syria have rejected American and Iraqi claims that they are supporting insurgents in Iraq.

The United States imposed economic sanctions on Damascus in Mayon charges of supporting terrorism and doing too little to stop border infiltration into Iraq.

But Damascus rejects the accusations, saying that "Syria is using all its capacities to control the frontier."

Source: Xinhua