EU freezes assets of several Syrian regime officials

Brussels: European foreign ministers yesterday increased the pressure on Syria's regime to stop its crackdown on opponents, freezing the assets of several Syrian government officials and imposing sanctions on the country's central bank.

They also banned the purchase of gold, precious metals and diamonds from the country, and banned Syrian cargo flights from the European Union.

The EU had previously imposed several rounds of sanctions on Syria, freezing the assets of 100 people and 38 organisations, and trying to cut the country's supply of equipment for its oil and gas sectors.

Little impact

So far the EU sanctions have had little effect on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.

Activist groups estimate nearly 7,500 people have died in 11 months of unrest.

As he left the meeting, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he thought the imposition of new sanctions would be effective as part of a broader effort to put pressure on the Al Assad regime.

"It will not be enough, of course, but it is a new step," he said.

The foreign ministers had recognised the Syrian National Council, one of two main opposition groups, as one legitimate party to talk with, he added.

But the French foreign minister acknowledged there were other elements opposed to Al Assad's rule and said it was important to push the opposition to become more organised.

Juppe said, too, that humanitarian access to those in need in Syria was "an absolute priority."

The names of the Syrian officials sanctioned yesterday will be made public today in the EU's official journal.

The new sanctions were adopted yesterday morning by the foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries, meeting in Brussels, said Maja Kocijancic, an EU spokeswoman.

Egypt transition

The officials are also expected to discuss Egypt's transition to democracy, and to urge a complete transfer of power to civilian rule as soon as possible.

In addition, they are expected to ease sanctions on the West African country of Ivory Coast, lifting visa bans on all but 15 people but keeping in place an arms embargo.

The country erupted in turmoil last year when the incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to leave power after losing an election to Alassane Ouattara.

Gbagbo has since been arrested and is in custody at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges including murder and rape.

For legal action

France wants to see the Syrian regime dragged before an international court of justice, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Monday.

Juppe, speaking during a break in talks between EU foreign ministers, said he would plead for legal action during a visit scheduled for later on Monday in Geneva, where he was to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council.

"I will say this afternoon in Geneva that I hope to see the international community reflect on the conditions of a referral to the ICC," he said.

"This is a difficult dossier," he said, adding that as Syria was not a party to the Rome convention establishing the International Criminal Court, the ICC could not initiate action itself.

Juppe said it would be up to the UN Security Council to refer the matter.

"So we will have to continue thinking and gathering elements that would enable a referral," he added.