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M. Continuo

Syrian authorities lift emergency import ban


    AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian authorities rescinded a ban on imports on Tuesday, the official Syrian news agency said, after a spike in prices and disquiet among an influential merchant class that has been backing President Bashar al-Assad.

    The ban includes almost all consumer goods, such as cars and domestic appliances, as well as raw materials for manufacturing, such as paints and plastics.

    "The Council of Ministers decided in its session today to cancel the decision to suspend imports of goods that carry more than five percent tariff," the agency said.

    The government imposed the ban last month to try to preserve foreign currency reserves under pressure from internal political turmoil, deepening an economic decline triggered by a six-month uprising against 41 years of Assad family rule.

    (Reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis; Editing by Louise Ireland)