"I do not expect a new war in the Middle East," Schroeder told Der Spiegel magazine in its edition to go on sale on Saturday, when asked if he expected the United States to launch further military action.

Washington has accused Syria of smuggling war materiel into Iraq and of allowing foreign Islamic fighters, including members of Hezbollah, to cross its borders.

It is also alleged to have provided aid and comfort to former associates of Saddam Hussein fleeing Baghdad as US troops establish control over the country.

On Monday, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Syria had conducted a chemical weapons test during the last 12 to 15 months.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, meanwhile, raised the possibility of diplomatic and economic sanctions against the Middle East nation.

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