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Summary
Blaming Syria of posing extraordinary threat to U.S. security, President Barack Obama on Monday declared an extension of sanctions on Syria for another year.In a letter to U.S. Congress, President Obama told lawmakers that he has decided to make the National Emergency on Syria, which will be expired on May 11, continue in effect for one year.Its actions and policies, including continuing support for terrorist organizations and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, said Obama in the letter.It is necessary to continue in effect the national emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force the sanctions to address this national emergency. According to Obama, the Syrian government has been noticed that whether U.S. sanctions are renewed or terminated in the future will be depended on Damascus' actions.In recent weeks, the Obama administration has warned the Syrian government of providing Scud missiles to the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla, which was labeled by Washington as a terrorist group, threatening all options are going to be on the table to address Damascus's actions.The Syrian government has been also accused by Washington of pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and of supporting Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and foreign militants carrying out terror attacks inside Iraq.The Bush administration froze diplomatic relations with Syria by recalling its ambassador following the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Washington blamed it on Syria while Damascus denied the accusation.The Obama administration, since it took office in January, 2009, has been encouraging Syria to play a positive role in the Middle East affairs ranging from Iran's nuclear stalemate, Lebanon's stability, Iraq's security to the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.The administration has decided to send an ambassador to Damascus in order to sharpen the choice for Syria.
