Iraq and Syria Plan Alliance Against Israel, Reports Say

TEL A VIV, Israel--Iraq and Syria have reportedly agreed to merge under a single leader and combine armies on Israel's northeastern border, Israel radio said yesterday.

The state radio quoted foreign reports attributed to Arab diplomatic sources in Damascus.

Solidarity

The two countries agreed in principle to merge into one state with a single military command and the Syrian and Iraqi heads of state will meet next week to discuss details, the report said.

Iraq and Syria have taken steps in recent months to end their long political feud and lead the Arab opposition to the Camp David peace accords. Both hardline states oppose Egypt's peace moves and have vowed to build up their military challenge to Israel to compensate for Egypt's withdrawal from the conflict.

Iraq and Syria have been at odds for years over water rights to the Euphrates River, and because of rivalries in the Baath Socialist Party that governs both countries.