EU prepares new sanctions against Syria

The EU is preparing new sanctions against Syria’s regime. Many Western and Arab countries have recalled their ambassadors from Damascus. After Russia and China had vetoed the resolution in the UN Security Council, Brussels is preparing new sanctions in order to isolate Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which could lead to his toppling and end of the bloodshed, AFP has reported. EU prepares new sanctions against Syria “There’s a long way to go yet, but we’re looking at economic measures which will tighten further the Syrian regime’s access to sources of finance,” a diplomat told AFP. Another diplomat said the sanctions could target Syrian central bank transactions as well as a ban on the sale of gold and other precious metals — similar to measures taken against Iran last month. The EU has imposed an asset freeze and visa ban on 108 individuals and an asset freeze on 38 entities. A diplomat said more asset freezes were being discussed. The bloc is also enforcing an arms embargo and a ban on imports of Syrian crude oil. The EU currently has no plans to withdraw its delegation from Damascus and it will continue to do everything it can diplomatically “to try and bring an end to this totally unacceptable situation.” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton pointed out that the EU continued to support the Arab League’s efforts to stop the crackdown which rights groups say has claimed lives of about 6,000 people in 11 months. Arab countries have appealed to the international community to exert pressure and isolate the Damascus regime so democratic changes could happen. Six Gulf states withdrew their ambassadors from Syria on Tuesday. France, Italy, Britain, Belgium and the U.S. have also withdrawn their envoys. Syrian forces continue attack on rebellious city Syrian forces thrust into the rebellious city of Homs on Wednesday, killing at least 67 persons, opposition activists say. According to activist Mohammad Hassan, 47 persons have been killed in Homs since midnight, Reuters has reported. The activists in the city also accused militiamen of slaughtering three families in their homes in the outskirts of Homs. Tanjug

EU prepares new sanctions against Syria

“There’s a long way to go yet, but we’re looking at economic measures which will tighten further the Syrian regime’s access to sources of finance,” a diplomat told AFP.

Another diplomat said the sanctions could target Syrian central bank transactions as well as a ban on the sale of gold and other precious metals — similar to measures taken against Iran last month.

The EU has imposed an asset freeze and visa ban on 108 individuals and an asset freeze on 38 entities. A diplomat said more asset freezes were being discussed.

The bloc is also enforcing an arms embargo and a ban on imports of Syrian crude oil.

The EU currently has no plans to withdraw its delegation from Damascus and it will continue to do everything it can diplomatically “to try and bring an end to this totally unacceptable situation.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton pointed out that the EU continued to support the Arab League’s efforts to stop the crackdown which rights groups say has claimed lives of about 6,000 people in 11 months.

Arab countries have appealed to the international community to exert pressure and isolate the Damascus regime so democratic changes could happen. Six Gulf states withdrew their ambassadors from Syria on Tuesday. France, Italy, Britain, Belgium and the U.S. have also withdrawn their envoys.

Syrian forces continue attack on rebellious city

Syrian forces thrust into the rebellious city of Homs on Wednesday, killing at least 67 persons, opposition activists say.

According to activist Mohammad Hassan, 47 persons have been killed in Homs since midnight, Reuters has reported.

The activists in the city also accused militiamen of slaughtering three families in their homes in the outskirts of Homs.