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US imposes sanctions on Syrian Prez relatives, intelligence agency

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on two relatives of his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad and the Arab state's intelligence service, with the White House asking the embattled leader to heed to the calls of his people.

The action came in response to the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in Syria. Hundreds of civilians have been killed in the clash between the Syrian government and demonstrators in recent weeks with more than 50 reportedly dying on Friday.

"We call on President Assad to change course now, and heed the calls of his own people," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement after Obama signed the order imposing sanctions against three Syrian officials, including Assad's relatives, and other Syrian and Iranian government entities responsible for human rights abuses.

The officials are Mahir al-Asad -- brother of Syrian President and brigade commander in the Army's 4th Armored Division -- who played a leading role in the regime's actions in Dar'a where protesters have been killed by the security forces; Atif Najib -- cousin of the Syrian President Bashar al-Asad -- who was the head of the Political Security Directorate (PSD) for Dar'a Province during March 2011, when protesters were killed there by Syrian security forces; and Ali Mamluk, director of Syria's General Intelligence Directorate (GID).

Obama also slapped sanctions on the GID - the overarching civilian intelligence service in Syria. The agency represses internal dissent and monitors individual citizens and is said to be involved in the regime's actions in Dar'a.

"This Order provides the United States with new tools to target individuals and entities determined to have engaged in human rights abuses in Syria, including those related to repression; to be a senior official of an entity whose property is blocked pursuant to the Order; to have provided material support to, or to be owned or controlled by, persons blocked under the Order," the White House said.

Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security also revoked certain licenses for export and re-export to Syria of items relating to VIP aircraft used to transport senior officials of the Syrian government.

"Due to the commission of human rights abuses related to political repression in Syria, export and re-export of these items is deemed contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States," the department said.

The move impacts four relevant licenses for exports and re-exports of parts to these planes, which are small civilian aircraft used by Syrian leaders.

These sanctions are in addition to those the United States maintains pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and other orders, as a part of the national emergency with respect to Syria.

"Today, the President continued that national emergency declaration for another year. Further, based on the current repression in Syria and charges of human rights abuses, the Commerce Department has also revoked certain commercial export licenses relating to VIP aircraft used to transport senior officials of the Syrian government," Press Secretary Carney said.

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