Iraq will close its border crossing to Syria near the restive western town of Tal Afar, the Iraqi interior minister said on Saturday.

"The government decided to close the Rabia border crossing to Syria from Sept. 11, and the crossing will be reopened pending further notice," Baqer Jabur Solagh told a TV channel.

He said weapons and entry of foreigners will also be forbidden.

The crossing is on the main road to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun al-Dulaimi said that 141 insurgents had been killed and 197 captured by Iraqi and US forces over the past two days in a major offensive in Tal Afar. Enditem

Source: Xinhua