EU imposes fresh sanctions on Syria
(LUXEMBOURG) - The European Union imposed fresh sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad's regime Monday, targeting government ministries and companies, including a bank and a television channel.
The measures, approved by foreign ministers of the 27-nation-bloc, comprise the 16th round of EU sanctions since the Assad regime began repressing protests in March 2011, bringing the total on an EU blacklist to 129 people and 49 entities.
"As long as the repression continues, the EU will continue imposing sanctions against the regime," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
No details were immediately available on the identity of those blacklisted -- but several EU diplomats said on condition of anonymity that assets held in Europe by Syria's defence and home affairs ministries were targeted.
On the list were two government ministries, a bank, a television firm, an oil transport company and a security office of the Baath party, as well as one individual, sources said.
Monday's sanctions also included a specific ban on insuring items embargoed for delivery to Syria, including arms shipments.
The measure follows an incident some days ago involving a British-insured Russian cargo ship carrying attack helicopters for Syria.
The United States alerted Britain to the consignment and British security services told insurers Standard Club that providing insurance for the shipment would breach EU sanctions, reports said.
Standard Club then cancelled insurance for the ship as well as others in the fleet owned by Russian cargo line Femco, forcing the vessel to head home.
International sanctions on Syria