US State Department lifts travel warning for Syria
AP
Date: 2/22/2010
By ALBERT AJI, Associated Press Writer Albert Aji, Associated Press Writer – Mon Feb 22, 11:50 am ET
DAMASCUS, Syria – The U.S. has lifted an advisory warning American travelers of security concerns in Syria, officials said, as Washington tries to boost ties with a country seen as key to peace in the region.
However, Syria remains on a U.S. list of countries supporting terrorism, a designation made in 1979 because of suspicions that Syria collaborates with Iran in supplying munitions to radical Islamist groups for use against Israel.
The country also remains under U.S. sanctions, which President Barack Obama renewed in May. First imposed by former President George W. Bush, the sanctions cite Syrian support for terrorism, its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and other activities including efforts to undermine U.S. operations in Iraq.
A spokeswoman at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Tracy Roberts Pounds, said Saturday that the U.S. had lifted the travel warning for Syria.
"After carefully assessing the current situation in Syria, we determined that circumstances didn't merit extending the travel warning," she said.
Syria's foreign minister welcomed the U.S. decision and said "both sides will start taking practical steps" to improve bilateral relations.
"We are willing to see a real development in these relations and from our side we will do what we have to," al–Moallem said. He did not specify what kind of steps Syria would take.
The travel warning, in place since September 2006 when armed assailants attacked the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, cited possible threats to safety and security and warned U.S. travelers to be vigilant when visiting Syria.
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