Assad media adviser to speak via Skype at US news conference
WASHINGTON – Syrian President Bashar Assad’s media adviser will speak by remote video at a Washington news conference, even though she is on a U.S. sanctions blacklist.
Bouthaina Shaaban is among the speakers at Thursday’s event being hosted by a group called the “Global Alliance for Terminating ISIS.” The National Press Club’s website says she will appear “via Skype.”
The Treasury Department says Americans are generally prohibited from dealing with anyone on its Specially Designated Nationals List. The department wouldn’t say if facilitating Shaaban’s media appearance through video is permissible or not.
State Department spokesman John Kirby on Wednesday called Shaaban a “propaganda mouthpiece for the Assad regime.”
The U.S. called on the Syrian leader to leave power almost five years ago.
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