The Bush administration may delay the imposition of sanctions on Syria due to rising tensions in the region following Israel's killing of Hamas leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
Reuters reported late Thursday that the US administration has decided to delay new sanctions against Syria, citing "congressional sources" as saying.
However, The New York Times said Friday the Bush administration is expected to announce sanctions as early as next week.
The administration will impose mostly economic sanctions against Syria, which the United States accuses of failing to cooperate fully in the fight against "terrorism."
The Times added Washington is expected to wait until "tempers have cooled in the region."
After weeks of consultations, administration officials are focusing on adopting as many as three economic sanctions from a list contained in the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act, which Congress overwhelmingly approved last year.
The sanctions include a ban on American exports - other than food and medicine - to Syria, a prohibition on American businesses' investing or operating there, and a ban of transactions in which the Syrian government has any interest and that are subject to American jurisdiction. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
