"The occupation forces are trying to divide Iraq," Shara told Turkey's NTV news channel from Damascus.

"Relations between Turkey, Syria and Iran are very important, particularly at such a turning point... These countries should do their best to prevent Iraq's break-up," he said.

"We have to work very closely," he said, adding that Iran, Syria and Turkey could "do a lot together to stop the war through political efforts".

Shara's remarks, recorded on Saturday, were translated into Turkish.

Iran, Syria and Turkey all have Kurdish minorities. They fear that any move towards independence by the Iraqi Kurdish community, a key US ally in the war against the Baghdad regime, could set an example for their kinsmen in neighboring countries.

Shara said the Iraqi Kurds were being "used" by the United States and urged them to refrain from action that could destablize Iran, Syria, Turkey or the Middle East as a whole.

The Syrian minister was speaking ahead of a visit to Damascus on Sunday by his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, who met with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi in Ankara over the weekend.

"We recognize only one Iraq -- united and sovereign -- and it should remain like this," Shara told NTV.

SPACE.WIRE