Obama extends Syria sanctions despite recent "positive developments"

US President Barack Obama has extended sanctions against Syrian or pro-Syrian personalities for provoking instability in neighboring Lebanon, despite positive signs from Damascus recently, the White House said. "In the past six months, the United States has used dialogue with the Syrian government to address concerns and identify areas of mutual interest, including support for Lebanese sovereignty," Obama said in a statement. He said there have been "some positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria."

However, the US president stated that "the actions of certain persons continue to contribute to political and economic instability in Lebanon and the region and constitute a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." As a result, Obama said, he had decided to extend for one year sanctions decreed in August 2007 by his predecessor George W. Bush, which froze the assets of individuals accused of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty on Syria's behalf.

Since coming to office, Obama has moved cautiously to improve relations with Syria, mindful that it plays or could play an influential role in the region, whether in Lebanon, Iraq or in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Obama administration recently eased trade sanctions against Syria in one recent gesture toward Damascus.