U.S. targets Syrian government's financial and weapons networks

The United States on Tuesday slapped sanctions on a central bank official and three entities in its latest effort to undermine the Syrian government's financial and weapons networks.

The Department of Treasury targeted Batoul Rida, a female official with the Central Bank of Syria, for transferring cash in support of the government's battle against the opposition forces.

The agency also moved against what it called three front companies -- Sigma Tech Company based in Syria, and Shadi for Cars Trading as well as Denise Company both located in Lebanon -- for providing support to the Scientific Studies and Research Center.

The Center is a Syrian government agency which had already been hit with sanctions by both the U.S. and the European Union for its role in developing and producing non-conventional weapons and ballistic missiles, and for its link to the country's chemical weapons program.

In a statement, the department said it took the measures with a view to "advancing a negotiated political transition" in war-torn Syria. Endi