Syria told the United Nations on Tuesday rival Lebanese leaders must agree on an international court to try suspects in high-level political killings in Lebanon.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday paid his first visit to Syria for talks with President Bashar al-Assad on Lebanon and Middle East peace efforts.
Two Chinese companies, hit with fresh US sanctions aimed at stopping banned military dealings with Iran and Syria, denied Tuesday that they were doing business with the two nations.
One of Syria's most known human rights activists was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday. Anwar al-Bunni, who was among several dissidents held for the past year following Syria's biggest crackdown on critics of the regime in years, told the court he would not be silenced.
The United States said on Monday it was troubled by reports that Syria used intimidation and threats to influence a parliamentary election and called on it "to end such abusive practices."
The US State Department announced sanctions Monday against 14 entities, including three Chinese firms and Syria's air force and navy, as part of a stepped up drive to halt banned military dealings with Iran and Syria.
DAMASCUS (AP)--U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon came to Syria on Tuesday for tough talks with its president on two Lebanese issues -support for an international court to try the killers of Rafik Hariri and preventing arms smuggling to Hezbollah.
The United States has imposed sanctions on 14 foreign people, companies and government agencies, including the Syrian navy and air force, as it boosts efforts to stop transfers of advanced weaponry to and from Iran and Syria.
Syria's Assad Consolidates Power Through Legislative Elections Despite Criticism
DAMASCUS, 04/24 - A Syrian human rights activist has been jailed for five years for spreading "hostile information" and joining an illegal political group, lawyers say. Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent advocate for democratic reform in Syria, has been in detention since May 2006.