A House committee today approved a compromise bill strengthening American sanctions against Iran and Libya but giving the President considerable latitude in carrying them out.

The comments from Russia's foreign minister included criticism of the Western moves to strengthen sanctions on the Islamic Republic, which he said were aimed at "stifling" Iran's economy.

Strengthened international financial sanctions would thwart that strategy and refocus attention where it belongs, on the issue of reinstating the original local election results.

Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders have scheduled a vote this week on strengthening economic sanctions against South Africa.

President Clinton said in a recent speech that if Libya did not hand the men over, the United States would move to strengthen sanctions.

Both the EU and the United States have recently strengthened sanctions.

The government of Japan has announced its intention to strengthen economic sanctions against North Korea.

It would be a minimal amendment to strengthen sanctions and create a permanent lending-out mechanism.

He also worked to strengthen sanctions against the military junta in Burma and pushed for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

No surprises were in the resolution, which modestly strengthens largely financial sanctions adopted in December in a first, limited resolution.