US considering sanctions against Syria

US President Barack Obama's administration is considering instituting "targeted sanctions" against the Syrian regime amid deadly crackdowns on demonstrators, officials said Monday, dpa reported.

"The United States is pursuing a range of possible policy options, including targeted sanctions, to respond to the crackdown and make clear that this behavior is unacceptable," a White House official said. "The Syrian people's call for freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and the ability to freely choose their leaders must be heard."

The White House did not provide further details about the possible sanctions.

At least 39 people were killed and 70 wounded Monday in the restive Syrian city of Daraa, pro-democracy activists said, after the army moved into the southern city and fired at protesters.

The protesters have been demanding greater freedoms, reforms and the ouster of al-Assad and his Baath Party, which has ruled the country for nearly 40 years.

Human rights advocates said security forces have killed an estimated 400 people since the unrest began.