Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

EU to freeze assets of Syrian central bank

 

Friday 24 February 2012 18:50 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The European Union will freeze the assets of Syria's central bank at its meeting on Monday, the French foreign minister said today, in the latest effort to pressure Syria to halt its bloody crackdown on an 11-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Alain Juppe made the announcement at a conference being held in Tunisia for the "Friends of Syria," in which some 60 countries gathered to call for an end to the fighting in Syria.

"On Monday we will take strong new measure, notably freezing the assets of the Syrian Central Bank," said Juppe to the delegates during the closed session. The comments were later released.

Juppe encouraged other countries to follow the European Union's lead and deepen their sanctions against the Assad regime.

The EU has already imposed sanctions targeting more than 70 people and 19 organizations, but have so far failed to stop the Damascus' crackdown.

Officials have also said that a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping force will be planned to police the eventual cease-fire agreement. The conference is calling for the implementing of an Arab League initiative that provides for Assad to step down.

AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in