The USA extended the sanctions on Iran and South Sudan

1 Syria

During a video meeting of the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the Syrian permanent representative to the UN, Bassam Sabbagh, called the USA to lift the sanctions that the USA imposed on the Syrian people. He explained that «the discussion in the UN Security Council won’t make any progress due to the provocative and inappropriate statements, addressed to the Syrian government. Progress is possible once the politicization is stopped’’ — Bassam Sabbag stated, and then denounced the 5th Brussels conference on the future of Syria, held on 29th and 30th of March. ’’The conference is being used to tarnish the image of the Syrian government» — he concluded.

2 The USA

The press service of the US State Department reported that the US State Secretary, Anthony Blinken, and the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, discussed during a video conference the situation in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Ethiopian state of Tigray, and in the Western Sahara. «Anthony Blinken welcomed the close coordination with the UN on the issue of a political settlement, and the achievement of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan. He noted the need to resume and expand the cross-border aid in Syria» — the statement reported.

3 Lebanon

The Lebanese presidential press office reported that the president Michelle Aoun accused the Prime Minister Saad Hariri of monopolizing the creation of the cabinet. «A politician who is tasked with forming the executive body must realize that he can’t do it alone, ignoring the president. It looks strange how Saad Hariri insists on the inclusion of only independent specialists to the cabinet, while he himself isn’t a such specialist» — Michel Aoun stated. He called on Saad Hariri to return to the constitutional principles of the government formation, which guarantee an inter-faith balance of the interests.

4 The USA — Iran — South Sudan

The USA have extended the one-sided sanctions against Iran and South Sudan. The White House Press Office published orders, which were signed by Joe Biden, and then sent to the US Congress. «The actions and policies of the Iranian government continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the US national security, foreign policy, and economy» — Joe Biden stated as an explanation for the maintenance of the comprehensive sanctions against Iran. A similar decision was taken against South Sudan as well.

5 Iran

The ’Press TV’ reported while citing a senior Iranian official that Tehran won’t agree to the 20% uranium enrichment cut until the USA lift the sanctions against Iran. «If they won’t lift the sanctions soon — Iran will take the next steps on the reduction of the Iranian obligations under the nuclear deal» — the ’Press TV’ quoted the official. On Monday, the newspaper ’Politico’ reported that on this week, the US administration intends to submit new proposals to the Iranian government, aimed to address the situation with the joint comprehensive action plan. It was noted that some US sanctions against Iran could be reduced if Tehran suspends the use of advanced gas centrifuges, and the enrichment of uranium up to 20%.

6 China

The ’South China Morning Post’ reported that the members of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress unanimously supported the Hong Kong electoral reform project. The draft amendments to the Annexes I and II of the basic law of Hong Kong were supported by all 167 deputies, no-one voted ’against’. It was noted that only 20 seats remain in the local Legislative Council for the deputies elected by the direct voting in the territorial districts. 40 mandates are now to be distributed among the electoral college for the first time. Another 30 deputies will be nominated by the industry communities on a professional basis. The resolution to draft Hong Kong’s electoral reform bill was approved on 11th of March, during the yearly session of the National People’s Congress. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS.