12 May 2004	Wednesday	21 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

WASHINGTON, May 11: The White House on Tuesday slapped sanctions on Syria, including a freeze on certain assets in the United States and limits on exports of goods, including weaponry.

President George Bush accused Syria of "supporting terrorism, continuing its occupation of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining United States and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq".

In a statement, the president said that Syria's actions "constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat". -AFP