RIYADH, Aug 23: Amid reports of cross-border infiltration from neighbouring countries into Iraq, Saudi Arabia has adopted strict security measures to protect its borders in view of the volatile situation in the region, a security official said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Mansour al-Turki told Okaz that the measures had been taken to boost security along the borders with Iraq and other neighbouring countries, and to prevent infiltration of terrorists and suspects into Saudi territories.

Saudi Arabia has also signed a security agreement with Yemen under which joint security patrols would be staged round-the-clock along the borders to prevent smuggling and infiltration.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Iraqi and US officials are boosting their efforts to close the porous crossing points that Iraq shares with six countries - Turkey, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait.

Iraq is reportedly training 15,000 border guards and hopes to have them in place by early October so as to be able to stem the flow of fighters from these countries. US forces began Operation Phantom Linebacker in early August, sending thousands of marines and special forces to beef up Iraqi border patrols, coalition forces spokesperson told the press.

The Iraqi interim government has also in the meantime, been lobbying the leaders of the adjoining countries to better patrol their borders. The Saudi initiative seems to be in response to that request from the government in Baghdad.

In order to stop the accusations, Iran has also offered to host a conference of Iraqi neighbours on border security. No date for the proposed conference has been given by the Iranian government. Apparently, the proposal is under study at the concerned capitals.