US prepares new sanctions on Assad regime

Accra: The Obama administration is readying new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime and its allies. [caption id=“attachment_414268” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] AFP[/caption] Senior officials travelling with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as she wraps up a nine-nation tour of Africa say that fresh sanctions aimed at hastening Assad’s ouster are imminent. The officials spoke today on condition of anonymity. Clinton is heading to Istanbul for weekend talks with top Turkish officials and opposition activists. The sanctions will complement existing penalties already imposed. The talks in Turkey will focus on forming a “common operational picture” to guide a democratic transition in post-Assad Syria. AP