BRUSSELS: The European Union imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and other senior officials on Monday, raising pressure on his government to end weeks of violence against protesters. EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Brussels to expand restrictions against Syria by adding Assad and nine other senior members of the government to a list of those banned from travelling to the EU and subject to asset freezes. In London, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also urged Assad to halt the violence against demonstrators seeking reforms, saying that nearly 1,000 people had been killed. “This cruelty must end and the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people must be honored,” Clinton told a news conference with her British counterpart William Hague. “Stop the killings, the beatings, the arrests, release all political prisoners and detainees. Begin to respond to the demands that are upon you for a process of credible and inclusive democratic change.” In an interview with state television, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem said EU sanctions would backfire. “I say this measure, just as it will harm Syria's interests, it will harm Europe's interest. And Syria won't remain silent about this measure.”
