Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was in Damascus Thursday for a landmark meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Talabani said Syria is taking steps to block foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq. Talabani was also asked about the Bush administration’s plan to send more troops to Iraq.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani: “I do not know how they (the U.S. government) are thinking. It’s up to them to decide. We did not ask for more troops, but if they send more troops, they are welcomed.”