EU imposes more sanctions on Syria

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EU imposes more sanctions on Syria

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The European Union expanded its sanctions against five more Syrian officials.

03 August,2011 07:19 am

These sanctions include imposing asset freeze and travel bans against these five military and government officials The EU decision brings the number of individuals targeted by the EU to 35, including President Bashar Assad. Four government entities are also on the list.The EU said it would release the names of the new additions to the list on Tuesday. In Washington, President Barack Obama said the latest attacks on anti-government demonstrations in Syria, launched as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began, were outrageous.US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham urged Assad to stop the slaughter now.At the United Nations, the UN Security Council, which has been deeply divided over Syria, met behind closed doors at Germanys request to discuss a revised European-drafted resolution backed by the United States that has been languishing since late May that would condemn the Syrian governments attacks against civilians.It has faced opposition from Russia, China, India, South Africa and Brazil.EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned Syrias crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Attacks by the security forces showed that the leadership is unwilling to implement the reforms it has promised in response to the legitimate requests of the Syrian people, Ashton said.In Paris, French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Christine Fages said political, military and security officials in Syria must know, now more than ever, that they will have to be held accountable for their acts.