Syria's Assad says funds frozen in Lebanese banks biggest impediment to investment

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday the main impediment to investment in the country was money stuck in ailing Lebanese banks. He said some estimates suggested $40 billion or $60 billion of Syrian funds were stuck in Lebanon.

In a speech after being sworn in for a fourth term, Assad also said Syria would continue working to overcome difficulties caused by Western sanctions imposed over its decade-long war. (Writing By Maha El Dahan; Editing by Catherine Evans)