Britain lifts Syria sanctions on 24 entities, including central bank
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Syria's new government has sought to persuade Western capitals that its Islamist militant origins are confined to the past.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON - The UK government on March 6 lifted sanctions imposed during the rule of the former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad against 24 entities including Syria’s Central Bank, a statement said.
The UK government said in February it planned to ease sanctions after the new Syrian government sought to persuade Western capitals that the rebels that toppled Mr Assad, after 14 years in charge, had confined their Islamist militant origins to the past.
Unveiling an updated sanctions list on March 6, the Treasury said: “24 entries have been removed from the consolidated list and are no longer subject to an asset freeze.”
The lifting of the sanctions applies to firms in the energy, transport and finance sectors.
They include Syrian Arab Airlines, the General Petroleum Corporation and a string of banks including the Agricultural Cooperative Bank and the Commercial Bank of Syria.
But hundreds of sanctions still remain in place against individuals and entities.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said in February that any changes to the sanctions aimed “to support the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability”.
But he said the UK government remained “determined to hold Bashar al-Assad and his associates to account for their actions against the people of Syria”.
Asset freezes and travel bans imposed on members of the former regime would remain in force, he said. AFP
