The international relations committee of the United States House of Representatives has voted to impose economic sanctions on Syria, accusing Damascus of supporting terrorism and developing weapons of mass destruction.
The committee has voted 33-to-2 in favour of sanctions, and observers say the resolution has a strong chance of being passed when taken up by the full House of Representatives next week.
The bill's sponsor is Eliot Engel, a Democrat from New York.
He says the proposed legislation will send a message to Damascus and the world that the United States will hold accountable any nation that supports terrorist groups.
