US government to block assets of Syrian officials
The Bush administration, turning up the heat on Syria, moved today to block the financial assets of the country’s interior minister and its chief of military intelligence for Lebanon.
The Treasury Department believes the two Syrian men have played lead roles in directing Syria’s military presence in Lebanon.
The action against Ghazi Kanaan, Syria’s minister of interior, and Rustum Ghazali, the chief of Syrian Military Intelligence for Lebanon, means that any assets belonging to these men found in the US will be frozen. Americans also are forbidden from doing business with them.
The power for the department to take the action stems from a May 11, 2004, executive order by President Bush.
Syria is on the US State Department’s list of countries and organisations accused on supporting terrorism.
Despite strained relations with the US, Syrian officials have repeatedly said they are co-operating with the US-led war on terrorism. The country has said all its military forces left Lebanon in April after some three decades as the dominant political and military force there.
National elections were recently completed in Lebanon.
“We are seeking democracy to take hold in Lebanon and other places in the Middle East, yet Syria continues to support violent groups and political strife,” said Treasury Secretary John Snow.
