BAGHDAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Saturday called on the upcoming Arab summit in Saudi Arabia to adopt a "clear stance" against the U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria.

The airstrikes "threaten the security and stability" in the region and "give terrorism a new opportunity to expand after it was defeated in Iraq and diminished significantly in Syria," the ministry said in a statement issued on its website.

The ministry "renews its call to the Arab summit to take a clear stance on this dangerous development," the statement said.

Early on Saturday, the U.S., along with Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syria over allegations that the Syrian government used poison gas in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the capital Damascus on April 7. The Syrian government has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari is participating in the foreign ministers meeting in Saudi Arabia ahead of the 29th Arab summit scheduled on April 15.