U.S. Imposes sanctions on Syrian businessman

International Hereald Tribune, 22 Febr. 2008

The United States on Thursday imposed economic sanctions against a prominent Syrian businessman as part of an effort to punish officials in Syria for alleged efforts to undermine the governments of Iraq and Lebanon,

The Treasury Department said the sanctions would be imposed on Rami Makhluf, who was identified as a prominent Syrian businessman and regime insider.

President George W. Bush signed an executive order last week that expanded penalties against senior government officials in Syria and their associates who are judged to have benefited from public corruption.