U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday renewed for one year sanctions against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and nine other individuals in the country for alleged "extraordinary threat" to the United States.

In a memorandum to U.S. Congress, Bush said, "the actions and policies of certain members of the government of Belarus and other persons pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

"These actions include undermining democratic processes or institutions; committing human rights abuses related to political repression, including detentions and disappearances; and engaging in public corruption, including by diverting or misusing Belarussian public assets or by misusing public authority," he said.

On June 19, 2006, Bush issued an executive order imposing financial sanctions on Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko and nine other top officials of his government in response to what Washington called a fraudulent presidential election in March 2006.

In addition to Lukashenko, the nine other people include the justice minister, the head of Belarus state television, the internal affairs minister and the president's national security adviser.

The order prohibits American firms and individuals from engaging in any transactions with those cited.