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US freezes assets of two Syrian officials
Aug 15, 2006, 22:46 GMT
Washington - The US government on Tuesday moved to freeze any assets of two Syrian officials suspected of meddling in Lebanese affairs, including a general for allegedly aiding Hezbollah.
The US Treasury Department sanctioned Major General Hisham Ikhtiyar 'for significantly contributing' to the Syrian government's support for three militant groups: the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and Islamic Jihad.
The US government has designated the three groups as terrorist organizations. Ikhtiyar is a senior advisor to Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Treasury Department said.
Penalties were also placed on Brigadier General Jama'a Jama'a, who served as commander of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon and oversaw implementation of Syrian policies while in Beirut.
The sanctions also ban Americans from doing business with the two generals.
'Until Syria takes concrete steps to become a responsible member of the international community, the United States will make known rogue actors supporting the country's destabilizing agenda,' said Pat O'Brien, the Treasury Department's top official for terrorist financing.
The sanctions were announced as Washington tries to step up pressure on Syria for its support of Hezbollah, which is accused of provoking a month-long battle with Israel in southern Lebanon.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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