Europe will make own judgement on Syrian sanctions: Powell

"We did not discuss this (with the Europeans), the Europeans will make their own judgement on this," Powell told a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Marwan Moasher on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the shores of the Dead Sea.

He dismissed criticism from the Arab and Muslim world for the sanctions on Syria, which Washington accuses of harbouring terror groups, seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction and failing to close its border to prevent insurgents streaming into Iraq.

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"I would ask that those who are disturbed or outraged by this legislation should be concerned by Syrian actions," Powell said.

The sanctions imposed Tuesday include a near-blanket ban on US exports to Syria and the power to freeze Syrian assets in the United States.

Damascus has denied the US accusations and Syrian officials dismissed the sanctions as unjustified and a "joke".

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday suggested setting up a "forum" grouping the Group of Eight industrialised nations and Arab states to encourage reform in the Arab world.

"We are looking forward to create a partnership for reforms," Powell told a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Marwan Moasher on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in this Dead Sea resort.