The minister's remarks came after the United States made threats against Syria for its alleged support to Iraq and possession of chemical weapons.

The minister, currently on a visit to Brazil, also said in an interview on a Santiago radio that her country will contribute to easing the humanitarian crisis arising from the war in Iraq, where large-scale military combat was essentially over.

"It is very important to try to relieve as soon as possible the situation of Iraq. Of course, the Syria case is closely followed by the international community and the members of the Security Council," she said.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell warned Syria of possible economic and diplomatic sanctions and other options while Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld claimed that Syria had conducted a chemical weapons test "over the past 12, 15 months."

Washington also accused Syria of harboring Iraqi officials fleeing Baghdad.

Syria has denied all the allegations.

As regards the current situation in Iraq, the Chilean foreign minister believed that "as soon as the armed conflict comes to an end, with peace and security being reestablished," humanitarian assistance will arrive to meet the needs of the Iraqi people.

"It is part of Chile's tradition and its foreign policy to commit itself to humanitarian assistance tasks," Alvear Valenzuelasaid.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2003)