US imposes sanctions on Syrians

The US Treasury imposed sanctions yesterday against five entities and five people accused of providing support to Syria's government or linked to those previously sanctioned over the Syrian government's violence against its citizens. 

Among those put on the Treasury sanctions black list are Muhammad Abbas, a cousin of Rami Makhlouf, a dominant business figure in Syria and himself a cousin of Syrian President Bashar



al-Assad. 

The Treasury sanctioned Makhlouf in 2008, accusing him of benefiting from and aiding the corruption of Syrian government officials.US also sanctioned the Al-Bustan Charity and its director, saying the charity was owned or controlled by Makhlouf.

The moves seek to freeze any US assets the entities and people may control and prohibits Americans and US entities from transactions with them.