EU approves fresh sanctions against Syria

A fresh round of European Union sanctions on Syria, banning foreign investment in its oil sector and the supply of bank notes made in Europe, were given final approval in Brussels on Friday, the bloc's top diplomat said, dpa reported.

"In view of the continuing brutal campaign by the Syrian regime against its own population, the European Union today decided to adopt additional sanctions against the Syrian regime," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

In addition, another two people are to join 54 individuals already facing travel bans and asset freezes because of their involvement in the Syrian crackdown. Six more companies are to be added to a list of entities with which EU firms cannot do business, diplomat said.

Friday's measures add to an EU import ban on Syrian oil enforced in early September. The fresh sanctions are expected to be introduced on Saturday, when they will be published in full in the EU's official journal.

The EU has so far adopted seven rounds of sanctions in a bid to pressure the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end the violence.

"The EU will consider further measures in the light of developments," Ashton warned.