January 19, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 18, 1426

WASHINGTON, Jan 18: The United States on Wednesday froze the assets of Syrian military intelligence director Asef Shawkat, accusing him of fomenting terrorism against Israel and backing Syria’s role in Lebanon.

The US Treasury Department named Asef Shawkat a ‘Specially Designated National’ — freezing his assets in the United States.

Asef Shawkat is Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s brother-in-law.—Reuters