U.S. imposes sanctions on Syria

WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Friday signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Syria for human-rights abuses in the ongoing anti-government protests.

The order involves sanctions against Syrian officials and others responsible for violence against civilians and other human-rights abuses, the White House said.

"The United States strongly condemns the Syrian government's continued use of violence and intimidation against the Syrian people," the White House said. "We call upon the Syrian regime and its supporters to refrain from further acts of violence and other human rights abuses against Syrian citizens seeking to express their political aspirations."

The order was issued against Mahir Assad, the brother of Syrian President Bashar Assad, their cousin Atif Najib, Syrian intelligence chief Ali Mamluk, the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the White House said is providing material support to the Syrian government for its crackdown on protesters.

"As a result of this action, any property in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons in which the individuals listed ... have an interest is blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them," the White House said.