Obama extends US sanctions against Syria
US: President Barack Obama extended US sanctions against Syria,
saying on Monday it supported terrorist organizations and pursued
weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.
Syria's actions and policies "pose a continuing unusual and
extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and
economy of the United States," Obama said in a statement.
He noted that the Syrian government had "made some progress in
suppressing foreign fighter networks infiltrating suicide bombers into
Iraq."
The Obama administration has been trying to forge a rapprochement
with Syria, which it sees as crucial to Middle East peace efforts and
stabilizing the nascent democracy in neighboring Iraq.
The outreach effort came under fire last month as a congressional
panel questioned its wisdom amid charges that Damascus has sought to arm
Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas with Scud missiles.
"As we have communicated to the Syrian government directly, Syrian
actions will determine whether this national emergency is renewed or
terminated in the future," Obama said.
Washington, Tuesday, Reuters
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