(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) The United States will continue the sanctions against Syrian individuals and entities as part of the national emergency actions against Damascus, US President Barack Obama said in a letter to US Congress.
On May 11, 2004, Obama issued an Executive Order that declared a national emergency with respect to the actions of the Syrian government and imposed sanctions on individuals and entities.
Washington intensified the sanctions after violence erupted in Syrian in May 2011 to pressure President Bashar al-Assad to allow for a democratic transition in the country and prevent human rights abuses, according to the US State Department.
Obama urged the Syrian government on Wednesday to stop the "violent war and allow for a political transition" that will lead to a "future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity and justice." Obama explained that the United States will look into "changes in composition, policies and actions of the Syrian government," before considering lifting the sanctions.
The President said he extended the order to preserve the US national security, economy and foreign policy, which he found is threatened by Syria's support for terrorism.
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