President Barack Obama on Wednesday extended the 10-year-old declaration of a national emergency with respect to Syria, the White House announced, KUNA reported.
"The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, endangers not only the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region," according to a notice sent by Obama to the U.S. Congress.
The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including supporting terrorist organizations and impeding the Lebanese government's ability to function effectively, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States, the notice said.
"For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect the national emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force the sanctions to address this national emergency," the President said. "In addition, the United States condemns the Assad regime's use of brutal violence and human rights abuses, and calls on the Assad regime to stop its violent war and allow a political transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity and justice," Obama said in the notice. The United States will consider changes in the composition, policies and actions of the government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future, the notice said.