Syria condemns U.S. sanctions on President al-Assad

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Syria condemns U.S. sanctions on President al-Assad

2011-05-19 22:19:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- Syria on Thursday condemned the sanctions adopted by the United States against President Bashar al-Assad and a number of high-ranking officials.

According to the state-run SANA news agency, the measures imposed on al-Assad used the current protests in Syria as a pretext when the sanctions were adopted in the best interests of Israel, as informed by an official source of the government.

"Any aggressive act against Syria is an American contribution to the Israeli aggression on Syria and the Arabs," the source said. "The American measures against Syria have only one explanation: serving Israel's interests above all."

The Syrian government claimed that successive U.S. administrations have targeted Syria for its opposition towards Israel. For example, the 'Syria Accountability Act' and the designation of Damascus as a State that sponsors terrorism.

"These measures have not influenced and will not influence Syria's independent decision," added the government source. "Nor will they influence its determination to achieve comprehensive reform."

On Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an order to freeze all assets that President al-Assad has under U.S. jurisdiction, and bans American citizens from doing business with him.

The sanctions also included Vice-President Farouk al-Shara, Prime Minister Adel Safar, Defense Minister Ali Habib, Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar, Head of the Military Intelligence Department Gen. Abdul-Fattah Qedssiyeh and Head of the Political Security Department Gen. Mohammad Deeb Zaitoun.

This was the first time the Obama Administration targeted al-Assad for the violent crackdown on protesters. On April 29, it imposed new sanctions against members of the regime, including the brother of President al-Assad.

On Monday, the European Council adopted a regulation that provides for an embargo on exports to Syria of arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression, as well as a visa ban and an assets freeze for 13 persons responsible for the violent repression.

Anti-government protesters have been demanding the ouster of al-Assad, who took over the post from his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, as well as calling for greater freedoms. The country has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963.

According to Human Rights Watch, Syria's security forces have killed some 700 people since demonstrations began on March 16. More than 100 protesters were killed on April 22 and 23 alone, and at least several thousands detained.

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