U.S. renews sanctions against Syria

The Obama administration has renewed sanctions on Syria because of “serious concerns” over its behavior, despite sending two envoys to Damascus this week to try to improve ties, U.S. officials said on Friday.

“The president felt it was necessary,” said State Department spokesman Robert Wood, referring to the renewal of the sanctions, which is required each year by Congress.

“This shows you that we still have some very serious concerns about Syrian behavior and activities in the world.”

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The sanctions, imposed by former President George W. Bush, prohibit arms exports to Syria, block Syrian airlines from operating in the United States and deny Syrians suspected of being associated with terrorist groups access to the U.S. financial system.

While the United States has made clear it wants better relations with Syria, a nation it has long accused of supporting terrorism, the renewal of sanctions shows Washington is not yet ready for a dramatic improvement in relations.

The announcement came a day after Jeffrey Feltman, the State Department’s top Middle East envoy, held talks with Syrian officials in Damascus.

Feltman was accompanied to Damascus by White House official Daniel
Shapiro. Their trip was part of U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration’s outreach to nations shunned by former President George Bush.

Meanwhile, a U.S. diplomat told Lebanese officials Friday that his country will not pursue relations with Syria at the expense of its ties to Lebanon.

“There is no deal with Damascus at Lebanon’s expense and no compromise on the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (for the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri),” US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale said after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace.

The Lebanese daily an-Nahar said Hale is expected to inform Lebanese officials about the results of Feltman’s meetings in Damascus. He will also reiterate U.S. support for Lebanon.

Syria, which has been a power broker in Lebanon for 30 years, pulled its troops from its small neighboring country in 2005, but still has influential allies in the opposition. Those allies are in a tight race with the majority in Lebanon’s upcoming Parliamentary elections, scheduled for June.

www.haaretz.com