EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Brussels to expand restrictions against Syria by adding Assad and nine other senior members of the government to a list of those banned from travelling to the EU and subject to asset freezes.
The move follows a ban on 13 of Assad`s closest allies and an arms embargo, imposed earlier in May in response to a crackdown on pro-reform protests.
The 27 EU foreign ministers said in a statement they had "decided to further strengthen these restrictive measures by designating additional persons, including at the level of the highest leadership".
"The EU is determined to take further measures without delay should the Syrian leadership choose not to change its current path," they added.
Germany`s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said it was necessary to move against Syria`s top leaders.
"If someone represses his own people like that, responds to peaceful demonstrations with force, this can`t be left unanswered by the European Union," he said.
Syrian security forces killed 11 people in the city of Homs on Saturday during a funeral for those killed in the latest crackdown on protesters demonstrating against Assad`s rule, witnesses said.
Human rights groups estimate that more than 800 civilians have been killed by security forces as they attempt to suppress more than two months of popular protests that have spread from southern Syria to towns across the country.
Syrian authorities have blamed most of the violence on armed groups backed by Islamists and foreign powers, who they say have killed more than 120 members of the security forces. (M014/K004)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
