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US imposes sanctions on Thailand US imposes sanctions on Thailand
(about 1 hour later)
The United States has imposed sanctions against Thailand in response to the military coup which ousted civilian Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.The United States has imposed sanctions against Thailand in response to the military coup which ousted civilian Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The move involves cutting off $24m (£12.8m) in military assistance, according to the US state department.The move involves cutting off $24m (£12.8m) in military assistance, according to the US state department.
The US has urged the ruling generals to call elections as soon as possible.The US has urged the ruling generals to call elections as soon as possible.
Last week's coup has been widely welcomed in Thailand, but it has been condemned by most Western governments as a step backwards.Last week's coup has been widely welcomed in Thailand, but it has been condemned by most Western governments as a step backwards.
State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the aid cut involved military education and training, peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism.State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the aid cut involved military education and training, peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism.
Funding for humanitarian purposes will however continue, he said. Funding for humanitarian purposes would however continue, he said.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR PM Supachai Panitchpakdi, former World Trade Organisation chiefChatumongol Sonakul, former central bank chief, sacked by Mr ThaksinPridiyathorn Devakula, central bank chiefAckaratorn Chularat, president of Supreme Administrative Court
"The United States continues to urge a rapid return to democratic rule and early elections in Thailand," said Mr McCormack, adding that funds would be reinstated once an elected government was in office."The United States continues to urge a rapid return to democratic rule and early elections in Thailand," said Mr McCormack, adding that funds would be reinstated once an elected government was in office.
Thailand's military rulers said on Thursday they had selected a new prime minister but they refused to say when they would lift martial law and pull troops off the streets. Thailand's military rulers said on Thursday they had selected a new prime minister who would serve until the promised elections in October 2007.
But they did not reveal their choice and they refused to say when they would lift martial law and pull troops off the streets.
Important ally
Thailand is a key US diplomatic and non-Nato ally and has played an important role in the US "war on terror" following the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Hambali, the alleged operations chief of South East Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah, was arrested in Thailand in 2003.
The coup was staged on 19 September while the prime minister was in New York, attending the UN General Assembly.
The military overthrow followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled because of concerns about its legitimacy.