A published report cites U.S. intelligence officials as saying insurgents in Iraq are receiving more direction from Iraqis now living in Syria than earlier believed.
Wednesday's Washington Post quotes unnamed officials saying former Saddam Hussein loyalists that have found sanctuary in Syria are collecting money from private sources in Saudi Arabia and Europe to help the insurgency.
U.S. officials say Washington has begun to press Damascus to arrest or expel certain Iraqis.
The newspaper also quoted Syria's ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha rejecting the allegations as unfounded.
In Iraq today, Britain's Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon arrived in the southern city of Basra to visit British troops.
On Tuesday, Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi again insisted that elections should be held as scheduled next month, adding that the vote may be staggered over two weeks for security concerns.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
