THE OMEN - SYRIAN VERSION: MAJOR US OIL COMPANY WITHDRAWING FROM SYRIA

MORE PROOF THINGS ARE LIKELY GOING TO GET HOTTER FOR BASGAR IN DAMASCUS REAL SOON:

YA LIBNAN:

Marathon oil company, America's largest investor in the Syrian oil and gas sectors will soon quit after selling its shares, fearing further U.S. sanctions against Damascus.

ARUTZ SHEVA:

"The decision was sparked by fears from additional sanctions that U.S. President George Bush is seeking to impose on Damascus in addition to problems between the U.S. company and the Syrian government," according to a source quoted by United Press International (UPI). "At any moment President Bush can increase sanctions on Syria to cover investments."

MIDDLE EAST ONLINE:

Industry sources said Marathon Oil, based in Houston, Texas, was seeking to sell virtually all of its interests in Syria by 2007.

Handwriting on the wall... the Brammertz Report is due in a few weeks... the clock is ticking... on Assad's murderous regime...