DAMASCUS, September 12 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The United States has intensified its pressures on Syria, telling the Arab country it must stop interfering in Lebanese affairs, pull its troops out of its neighbor, control Palestinian factions working from Syrian soil and help stabilize occupied Iraq.

"Syria must end its interference in Lebanese internal affairs, withdraw its forces from Lebanon and allow the Lebanese armed forces and government to establish their authority throughout Lebanon," William Burns, US Assistant Secretary of State said after meeting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus Saturday, September 11.

The UN Security Council has adopted earlier this month a resolution, put forward by the United States and France, demanding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon and non-interference in the Lebanese presidential elections.

In blunt talks with Al-Assad, Burns urged the Syrian government to secure the Syrian-Iraqi borders to help restore security into the war-torn country.

"Syria should not be used as a platform to undermine Iraqi stability," he said, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.

"We emphasized in particular the political importance of supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to ensure stability and security."

Burns said the Syrian government's address of the US concerns would help improve ties between the two countries.

"If Syria takes action on these concerns, our relationship can take a very different course, with positive results for all sides," the BBC News Online quoted Burns as saying Saturday.

"The time has come for concrete steps... We stress that what is essential now is genuine progress not rhetoric."

For its part, Syria welcomed the US determination to enhance cooperation between them on Iraq.

"Syrian and American parties gave extreme priority and importance to the Iraq question, which was examined in detail and monopolized discussions," the Syrian foreign ministry said Sunday, September 12.