Visa cards no longer valid in Syria under sanctions

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Visa cards no longer valid in Syria under sanctions

The Associated Press Published Thursday, August 25, 2011 6:20AM EDT

Syrian supporters of President Bashar Assad carry his pictures as they shout pro-regime slogans during a protest in Damascus, Syria, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. (AP / Muzaffar Salman)

Text:

BEIRUT - Syria's state-run bank says Visa cards issued in the country are no longer valid.

The Commercial Bank of Syria said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the measure stems from new U.S. sanctions targeting Syria.

The sanctions were imposed as a result of President Bashar Assad's deadly crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising.

The state-run CBS, which is on the blacklist, said the sanctions imposed by the U.S. will punish Syrian citizens and foreign tourists, who will now have to deal in cash.

Visa cards were only issued in Syria starting in 2005.