Washington extends Syrian sanctions

DAMASCUS, Syria, May 8 (UPI) -- Washington opted to renew sanctions against Syria for another year as punishment for supporting terrorists but still hopes for a thaw in bilateral relations.

Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Daniel Shapiro, U.S. National Security Council senior director, were in Damascus this week in an effort to improve bilateral ties.

Both Washington and Damascus have pushed for diplomatic engagement as part of a broader effort at reversing historic policies of isolation.

Referring to a "national emergency," however, Feltman said the continued support by Damascus for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad warranted extended sanctions, the Financial Times reports.

"The national emergency with respect to Syria remains in effect because Syria continued to not meet its international obligations," he said. "We continue to have serious concerns about Syria's actions."

This paints a somewhat mixed message as Feltman described his meeting with Syrian officials as positive through a statement with the U.S. Embassy in Damascus.

"I would characterize these discussions as very constructive," Feltman said. "We look forward to making progress and achieving results in the bilateral relationship and in terms of our regional interests."

Feltman and Shapiro were expected to raise the issue of June parliamentary elections in Lebanon as a way for Syria to exhibit its non-interventionist policies in the region, though several critics had expressed concern that relaxing sanctions would give a green light to Damascus to continue meddling in Lebanese affairs.