US President Barack Obama has extended sanctions against Syria in response to Damascus' support of terrorism the White House said Monday.
The measure imposes US sanctions for a further year from May 11, when the current ones were due to expire, DPA reported.
In a letter to Congress, the president recognized "some progress in suppressing networks of foreign fighters bound for Iraq" by the Syrian authorities.
Nonetheless, Syria's "actions and policies, including continuing support for terrorist organizations and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs," continue to pose a threat to US security, the letter said.
Syria has also been "undermining US and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq," the president wrote.
The sanctions, initially introduced May 11, 2004 include a ban on exports to Syria, the blocking of some individuals' property, and a ban on Syrian aircraft landing in US territory.