The Empire Strikes Back
US slaps trade sanctions on Syria
The US has imposed economic sanctions on Syria after long accusing the Arab state of supporting terror and failing to stop militants entering Iraq.
President George W Bush ordered a freeze on certain Syrian assets in the US and a halt to all American exports apart from humanitarian items.
He accused Syria of continuing to occupy Lebanon and pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missiles.
Syria has denied wrongdoing and says sanctions will only harm US interests.
The sanctions were authorised under the Syria Accountability Act, signed into law by President Bush in December.
They include a ban on flights between Syria and the US but exports of US food, medicines and aircraft parts - for safety reasons - are not affected.
The BBC's Jon Leyne reports from Washington that the announcement had been expected but still marks a significant worsening of relations between the two countries.
Washington has effectively decided to isolate Syria in the hope that tough action will finally produce a change in behaviour, our correspondent says.
