EU probes pro-Syria Facebook attack

(STRASBOURG) - The European Parliament said Wednesday its Facebook page came under spam attack from pro-Syrian regime elements, claiming a "coordinated" campaign also targeting the White House.

The cyber action followed a decision by European Union governments made legal on Tuesday to sanction 13 members of Assad's inner circle, including his brother and several cousins.

"Last night the parliament's Facebook page was massively spammed with comments in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government," the parliament said on the website.

"We cannot accept this form of spamming attack and have therefore begun to cancel the comments and ban those users who posted dozens of repeat comments under multiple posts."

Speaking to AFP parliament spokesman Jaume Duch confirmed the attack by elements "in support of the Syrian government," and said the legislature had technicians working on a probe.

"We are investigating what happened, as it seems similar attacks have been experienced by other institutions such as the White House, indicating a coordinated operation," the parliament said after an attack that lasted a couple of hours.

The EU sanctions were announced amid a growing international outcry over a deadly crackdown by the Syrian government as it seeks to contain anti-regime protests.