Syria is 'not behaving in wise manner': Rumsfeld

"The United States and the world obviously has to create a better clarity in the minds of leaders of Syria that what they are doing is harmful ultimately to themselves," Rumsfeld said after a speech in Beverly Hills at which he was twice heckled.

In the early days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks the United States praised Syria for its cooperation in combating terrorism but more recently cooperation with Syria has come to an end, with Washington accusing the government in Damascus of not doing enough to stop insurgents crossing into Iraq.

Rumsfeld said he was referring to Syria's refusal to return Iraqi funds, housing of Baathists from Saddam Hussein's fallen regime and the flow of insurgents across the border. He said Syria was also "undoubtedly financing" some of the Iraqi insurgency.

"(Syria is) going to have to live in that neighbourhood and Iraq doesn't like what Syria's doing," Rumsfeld said in a question-and-answer session following his speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

"Iraq is going to be in that neighbourhood for a very long time. It's a bigger country and a richer country and will be a more powerful country," he said. "(In my view) the Syrians are not behaving in a wise manner at the present time."

He added that "other countries and the United States are simply going to have to continue to try and put pressure on them so that they understand the disadvantages that accrue to them by their behaviour."

Though Rumsfeld got a warm reception from the World Affairs Council, some two dozen anti-war protesters gathered outside.

His speech was interrupted at one point by a woman who stood up and shouted: "Rumsfeld, you lied to us!"

Meanwhile, US Ambassador John Bolton, in his debut in the UN Security Council, pressed Syria and Iran on Thursday to do more to stem the flow of terrorists, arms and funding into neighbouring Iraq.

His comments came as the 15-nation council unanimously adopted a US-drafted resolution condemning a recent surge in violence in Iraq that has killed hundreds, including Algerian diplomats, US Marines and a Sunni Arab helping to draft a new Iraqi constitution.

Russia used the vote to criticise the media for glorifying terrorists after Moscow said it would bar ABC News from working in Russia when the US television network aired an interview with Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev.

Bolton urged all nations "to meet their obligations to stop the flow of terrorist financing and weapons, and particularly on Iran and Syria."