LOC12:48
09:48 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- The Japanese government decided Tuesday to impose
new sanctions on Syria to increase pressure on the regime of Bashar Al-Assad
to halt its violent crackdowns on anti-government forces.
The new measures effective Tuesday, approved by the Cabinet of Prime
Minister Yoshihiko Noda, include a freeze on the assets of 36 more individuals
and 19 organizations considered related to Al-Assad, the Foreign Ministry said
in a statement.
With Tuesday's additional sanctions, Japan freezes the assets of a total of
59 Syrian individuals and 35 entities "in order to contribute to the
international efforts for international peace aimed at the resolution of this
issue," the ministry said.
A stricter and individual review on the issuance of visas will be also
imposed onthe 36 individuals and the 19 entities designated by the ministry,
such as Al-Assad and his related individuals.
Since September last year, Japan has been implementing such measures as
freezing the assets of Al-Assad and his related individuals and entities in
Syria. Tokyo has repeatedly urged the Syrian government to immediately cease
the use of force against civilians, which has caused many deaths and injuries
among the general populace.(end)
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KUNA 271248 Nov 12NNNN