The United States continuously seeks to shed light on abuses committed by the Assad regime, including its use of torture, and calls for the regime to allow for unhindered access of independent monitoring organizations to detention centers. Moreover, the United States supports effective mechanisms for holding those responsible for atrocities in Syria accountable. To that end, the United States would welcome any decision by the Government of Lebanon that would facilitate the lawful extradition of Syrian General Jamil Hassan to Germany, in compliance with the Government of Germany’s extradition request and consistent with applicable law.

General Hassan serves as the chief of Syria’s Air Force Intelligence Directorate and is notorious for his alleged involvement in the extensive use of torture in Syrian detention centers. The German federal prosecutor issued an arrest warrant against the General in June 2018 for committing crimes against humanity based on a complaint filed by Syrian refugees residing in Germany. The Government of Germany requested the Government of Lebanon to extradite General Hassan, who is reportedly visiting Lebanon to receive medical care. Moreover, the European Union and the United States have previously sanctioned General Hassan due to his support to the Assad regime per Executive Order 13573.

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The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:‎

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt today to discuss key global priorities, including countering Iranian malign behavior, securing progress in Syria, and pursuing our shared goal to denuclearize the DPRK. The two reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the U.S.-UK special relationship and cooperation in the face of major global challenges.

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The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:‎

Today, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and French Foreign Minister Le Drian discussed global efforts in the fight to defeat ISIS, especially in Iraq and Syria. Secretary Pompeo also noted France’s efforts to counter Iran-backed terrorist activity in Europe and the Middle East.

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The Department of State has designated the Iranian proxy group Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN) and its leader, Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. Today’s designations seek to deny HAN and al-Kabi the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks. Among other consequences, all of their property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.

Established in 2013 by al-Kabi, HAN is an Iran-backed Iraqi militia funded by but not under the control of the Iraqi government. HAN has openly pledged its loyalties to Iran and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Al-Kabi has publicly claimed that he would follow any order, including overthrowing the Iraqi government or fighting alongside the Houthis in Yemen, if Ayatollah Khamenei declared it to be a religious duty. Al-Kabi also claimed that Iran supports HAN both militarily and logistically, and stressed HAN’s close ties with IRGC-QF Commander Qassem Soleimani and Hizballah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, both SDGTs. The Department of the Treasury designated al-Kabi in 2008 under E.O. 13438 for planning and conducting multiple attacks against Coalition forces, including mortar and rocket launches into the International Zone.

These designations demonstrate the United States’ unwavering commitment to isolate and deny funding to the Iranian regime’s terrorist proxies. The United States will continue to stand firm against Iran’s malign behavior and efforts to undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and stability.

Today’s actions notify the U.S. public and the international community that HAN and al-Kabi have committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism. Terrorist designations expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and deny them access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of U.S. agencies and other governments.

A list of State Department-designated SDGTs is available here: http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/index.htm.

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The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most students overseas on its Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program in academic year 2017-2018. For the second year, the State Department is recognizing the institutions that made international study and internships more accessible and inclusive for the largest number of American students of all backgrounds through its Gilman Program.

The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, compiles the list, organized by small, medium, and large four-year institutions, and colleges conferring associate degrees.

Topping this year’s list of four-year institutions sending the largest number of Gilman Scholars abroad are Berea College (KY), Emory University (GA), and the University of California, Berkeley (CA). Portland Community College (OR) tops the list of associate’s colleges. Grand Valley State University (MI) took the top spot in sending the most veterans on Gilman Scholarships, a category that the Department of State is highlighting this year.

Institutions are also recognized for sending abroad the most first-generation college students, racial or ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and students studying in STEM fields through the Gilman Program. Institutions that sent Gilman Scholars to the largest number of overseas destinations received recognition for their role in broadening geographical diversity in study abroad. Additionally, institutions that displayed outstanding growth in the number of Gilman awardees as compared to last year are recognized for their role in broadening the student population that studies abroad.

For a full list of higher education institutions that sent Gilman Scholars overseas in 2017-2018, including those with the distinctions mentioned above, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website at www.GilmanScholarship.org.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, with the support of the U.S. Congress, is reshaping study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive for American students. The Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduates who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise participate. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman scholars to nearly 150 countries around the globe.

Interested media should contact the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at eca-press@state.gov.

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