Washington eases economic sanctions for the Syrian opposition
WASHINGTON
A damaged building is seen in a street in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district June 8. REUTERS photo
Washington will take new steps in easing economic sanctions for the Syrian opposition, the U.S. Department of State has announced in a statement issued June 12.The lifting of sanctions includes the export of commodities in various domains such as technology, agricultural production, power generation, oil and gas production, construction and transportation.
U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry has signed a limited waiver of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 that allows the export of U.S. origin commodities to the opposition-controlled areas of Syria.
“These items are intended to help address the critical needs of the Syrian people and facilitate reconstruction in liberated areas,” the statement said.
“Of note, the export of food and medicine does not currently require a license and medical devices are covered under an existing waiver,” it added.
The statement also said that the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security was set to post notice on its website that it would immediately accept license applications for the export and re-export of items covered by the new waiver.
