KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has called on all to stop meddling in his country's internal affairs and help the country restore peace and stability, Kuwait'sofficial KUNA news agency reported on Saturday.

    "I know who does intervene in Iraqi internal affairs and who does not, but it is not in Iraq's interests at present to name the interveners lest I should pour oil on fire," the president said in an interview to be carried by the local daily al-Anbaa on Sunday.

    In the interview during his visit to Damascus, Syria, he voiced hope to Kuwaiti media that the new Iraq would play "a positive role in cementing Arab solidarity and genuine regional cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and independence of all neighbors."

    The Iraqi government would work to erase all "unfounded and illogical" claims that "Kuwait is a part of Iraq," he said, noting that "Iraq acknowledged Kuwait as a sovereign, independent Arab country with internationally-recognized borders."

    Iraq and Kuwait have to establish best relations and provide a model for state-to-state ties, particularly ties among Arab countries, he said.

    Concerning results of his week-long visit to Syria, he said that he found Syrian leaders had "a sincere desire for the rise of Iraq as a secure, stable and prosperous country."

    Talabani is Iraq's first head of state to visit Syria in nearly three decades.

    Meanwhile, the Iraqi president hailed a new plan of U.S. President George W. Bush for maintaining stability in Iraq.

    The plan relies on the Iraqi government and Iraqi forces, Talabani said, adding that "security in Iraq is our responsibility."