US to aid Syrian democracy groups

 

Ms Rice has also requested funds to back dissidents in Iran

The US has announced it is to give $5m (?2.87m) in grants to pro-democracy groups in Syria.

The funds are aimed at “accelerating the work of reformers”, a State Department statement said.

A website has been set up for groups to apply for the grants – which will range from $100,000 to $1m.

On Wednesday the Bush administration asked Congress for $75m to increase TV and radio broadcasts to Iran and fund dissident groups there.

The move is part of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (Mepi) launched by the US in 2002 to promote reform in the Middle East.

Announcing the grants, State Department official Elizabeth Cheney said the US stood firmly with those “struggling for their freedom across the Middle East“.

“The people of Syria deserve the opportunity to build a better future and to live in freedom,” she said.

Ties between Syria and the US are tense. The US has accused Damascus of interfering in neighbouring Lebanon and Iraq. Syria denies the allegations.

BBC News

 (Tribunus)