Brussels: The "shocking" crackdown in Syria puts the regime's legitimacy into question and those responsible for the violence must be held accountable, EU leaders say in a draft declaration obtained by agencies on Friday.
The text to be formally adopted at an EU summit later Friday "condemns in the strongest possible terms the ongoing repression and unacceptable and shocking violence the Syrian regime continues to apply against its owns citizens."
"By choosing a path of repression instead of fulfilling its own promises on broad reforms, the regime is calling its legitimacy into question," the draft says.
"Those responsible for crimes and violence against civilians shall be held accountable."
Fresh sanctions
The leaders will also welcome the adoption of fresh sanctions against Syria, in which seven individuals and four businesses were added to a list of people targeted by an assets freeze and travel ban.
UN Security Council resolution
They also call for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning the crackdown, a move opposed by veto-wielding member Russia.
The declaration "lends its full support to diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring that the UN Security Council can assume its responsibility and give adequate response to the situation in Syria."
