Syria's ambassador to Washington says his country has halted military and intelligence cooperation with the United States, because of what he calls unjust American allegations.

In an interview with the New York Times published Monday, Ambassador Imad Moustapha said that in the last 10 days, Damascus severed all links with the U.S. military and Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Moustapha said he believes the Bush administration has decided to escalate the situation with Syria, despite steps it has taken against insurgents in Iraq and the pullout of its troops from Lebanon.

Bush administration officials have frequently complained that Syria is not doing enough to stem the flow of men and money to the insurgency in Iraq.

The New York Times says Syria's action has prompted high-level debate within the Bush administration about steps that might be taken against the Syrian government.