Syria's Foreign Minister accuses the U.S. of an act of "criminal and
terrorist aggression" after a raid near Syria's border with Iraq.

Syria says U.S. forces were involved in the attack on Sunday (October 26,
2008) on its territory. The country's Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem, who
was in London for talks said the American government needed to provide an
explanation for the incident.


Syria says four U.S. helicopters flown over the border from Iraq attacked a
farm in the Bou Kamal area of the country and U.S. soldiers stormed a building
there.

As a result officials say eight civilians were killed including a father
and three children from the same family and a fisherman who had been out
fishing.

Syria's Foreign Minister who was in London for talks, accused the U.S. of
criminal and terrorist aggression.

Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Al-Muallem, saying:
" Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist
aggression. The American do it in the day light this means it is not a
mistake: it is by determination - by blunt determination. By that we consider
this criminal and terrorist aggression. We put that responsibility on the
American government."

He warned that Syria would retaliate in the event of any further American
attacks.

The U.S. has neither confirmed nor denied the incident.

Penny Tweedie, Reuters.