EU passes new sanctions against Syria

The EU has passed a new package of sanctions against Syria, RIA Novosti reports.

EU diplomatic leader Catherine Ashton announced the initiative on
Monday. The new sanctions will include 4 Syrian companies and 7
officials, including 3 Iranian officials. The officials are accused of
attacking civilians.

The sanctions are expected to come into force on June 24, after
approval by 27 EU states.

Earlier sanctions banned shipments of arms and police equipment to
Syria, as well as visits by the Syrian authorities, including the
president, to the EU. Their accounts were frozen in Europe.

The disorders in Syria started in mid-March. Opposition and human
rights activists say that over 1,200 have died. The Syrian authorities
accuse armed criminals of receiving foreign support for the disorders.