Syria-US.

Washington Lifts Ban on Technology Exports to Syria

In another sign of rapprochement between the United States and Syria, Washington has lifted a five-year ban on technology and information technology exports to Syria, the Beirut leftist daily AS SAFIR reported Monday. Syria's ambassador to Washington Imad Musafa said in a TV statement on Sunday the United States officially informed him last week of its "decision to lift a ban on technology and information technology exports to Syria." The Syrian ambassador welcomed the decision. The George W. Bush administration first imposed sanctions in various areas against Syria in May 2004.

This May, the Barack Obama administration decided to renew the sanctions to the dismay of Damascus, despite the improved Syria-US ties since Obama came to office in January. A number of US officials have visited the Syrian capital in recent weeks, including US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, who held talks with Syrian officials at the weekend. Washington has also announced it will appoint a new ambassador to Damascus after a four-year hiatus caused by the February 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Hariri's slaying was widely blamed on Syria, which categorically denied involvement. A new US envoy to Syria will reportedly be dispatched in September.