Obama renews Syrian sanctions

WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- President Obama extended U.S. sanctions against Syria for another year Friday, declaring the country continues to pose a threat.

The sanctions were originally imposed in 2004 by President George W. Bush, who renewed them in 2006 and 2008.

"The actions of the government of Syria in supporting terrorism, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States," Obama said. "For these reasons, I have determined that 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."

Obama renewed the sanctions a day after Jeffrey Feltman, a senior state department official, held what were described as "constructive" discussions in Damascus, the Financial Times reported.