5°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Clinton cancels trip to Arab world due to illness; US names Syrian group a terrorist body
Free Syrian Army fighters aim their weapons, close to a military base, near Azaz, Syria, Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. The gains by rebel forces came as the European Union denounced the Syrian conflict, which activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. (AP Photo/Manu Brabo)
WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pulled out of a weeklong trip to the Arab world because of a stomach virus, officials said Monday, as the Obama administration declared a Syrian rebel group with alleged ties to al-Qaida as a terrorist organization.
The announcement was one of several Clinton planned to bring with her to North Africa and the Middle East as part of a U.S. effort to enhance co-operation with moderates in the Syrian coalition fighting President Bashar Assad's regime, and to isolate extremists in their ranks.
Clinton's deputy, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, will take her place in Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.
"Since she's still under the weather, we'll be staying put this week instead of heading to North Africa and the Middle East as originally planned," Clinton's spokesman, Philippe Reines, said.
On the first stop, in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Wednesday, Burns likely will recognize Syria's new opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, officials said. Clinton had been expected to make the declaration, which is designed to reward anti-Assad leaders for making their movement more inclusive and facilitate greater American assistance.
Earlier Monday, the administration took action against the rebel militia Jabhat al-Nusra, which has claimed responsibility for suicide bombings on Syrian government targets and raised fears of growing Islamic extremism among the opposition.
By branding the group a terrorist organization, the U.S. government is freezing any assets Jabhat al-Nusra holds in the United States and barring Americans from doing business with the group.
The action hasn't been announced officially, but was included in the Federal Register on Monday. In the notice, the State Department described the group as part of al-Qaida in Iraq.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Van Gogh museum unconvinced by new theory painter didn't commit suicide but was shot by 2 boys
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- Troubles linked to Bieber's European tour grow as Swedish police find drugs, stun gun on bus
- Sharks score twice early and hang on for 2-1 win over Kings to tie series at 2 games
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Nigeria, beset by violence from Islamic extremists, sets up committee on offering amnesty deal
- First lady: Jobs program has led to training or hiring of 290,000 veterans, military spouses
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Elections Canada wants greater punishment powers in wake of robocalls debacle
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.