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Syria faces fresh sanctions move as more protests loom EU steps up Syria sanctions with ban on oil imports
(about 4 hours later)
Syria is facing fresh moves for the imposition of stricter sanctions, as another day of protests looms against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. The EU has stepped up sanctions on Syria by banning imports of its oil, as another day of protests looms against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for the world community to target Syrian oil and gas exports and again urged Mr Assad to step aside. Oil accounts for about 25% of Syria's income and the EU takes about 95% of its oil exports.
EU ministers meet in Poland on Friday to discuss sweeping new sanctions. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had earlier urged the world community to target Syrian oil and gas exports.
In Syria, activists are preparing another day of protests, under the slogan "death rather than humiliation".In Syria, activists are preparing another day of protests, under the slogan "death rather than humiliation".
They said that on Thursday another seven people were killed by security forces.
The United Nations says more than 2,200 people have been killed in six months of protests.The United Nations says more than 2,200 people have been killed in six months of protests.
'Campaign of violence' 'Appalling'
In Paris on Thursday, Mrs Clinton condemned Mr Assad's "brutality against unarmed citizens", adding: "The violence must stop and he needs to step aside." The UK Foreign Office said the European Union had agreed at official level to ban imports of Syrian oil into the EU to increase pressure on the Syrian regime over its crackdown against anti-government protest.
These latest sanctions would only be from the EU, so the Syrians could find outlets on other markets. What we are seeing is an attempt by Western governments to be seen to be doing something - to use rhetoric, sanctions, everything short of military action to give the impression that they really are serious about pressing for change in Syria. These latest sanctions are only from the EU, so the Syrians could find outlets on other markets. What we are seeing is an attempt by Western governments to be seen to be doing something - to use rhetoric, sanctions, everything short of military action to give the impression that they really are serious about pressing for change in Syria.
There is no real indication such actions have made President Assad any weaker now than when the uprising started. But the protesters have been out on the streets for nearly six months now and show no sign whatsoever of stopping. The president has not got control of the streets and it is unclear that he will be able to regain it.There is no real indication such actions have made President Assad any weaker now than when the uprising started. But the protesters have been out on the streets for nearly six months now and show no sign whatsoever of stopping. The president has not got control of the streets and it is unclear that he will be able to regain it.
This is not really an EU or regional matter - this is going to be sorted out within Syria. There are two very powerful forces; the people on the streets - mainly from provincial towns and cities - and the army and security apparatus. The two have shown themselves to be pretty evenly matched. That struggle will continue, and that is what will determine Syria's future - not what is said in the region or further afield in the West.This is not really an EU or regional matter - this is going to be sorted out within Syria. There are two very powerful forces; the people on the streets - mainly from provincial towns and cities - and the army and security apparatus. The two have shown themselves to be pretty evenly matched. That struggle will continue, and that is what will determine Syria's future - not what is said in the region or further afield in the West.
A spokesperson said it was hoped the agreement would be signed off by EU foreign ministers meeting in Poland on Friday and Saturday.
In Paris on Thursday, Mrs Clinton condemned Mr Assad's "brutality against unarmed citizens", adding: "The violence must stop and he needs to step aside."
She called for "strong new sanctions targeting Syria's energy sector to deny the regime the revenues that fund its campaign of violence".She called for "strong new sanctions targeting Syria's energy sector to deny the regime the revenues that fund its campaign of violence".
European Union foreign ministers will discuss an embargo on oil imports at their meeting in Poland.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "There is a real prospect that we will agree sanctions on the sale of Syrian oil into the European Union."
Existing contracts mean such an embargo could not begin until 15 November, diplomatic sources say, but the list of Syrian officials targeted by an assets freeze and travel ban will expand.
The US has already banned the import of Syrian oil.The US has already banned the import of Syrian oil.
UK PM David Cameron expressed frustration that a tough UN resolution on Syria could not be found. UK PM David Cameron has expressed frustration that a tough UN resolution on Syria has not yet been found.
He told the BBC: "We've been at the vanguard, arguing for a different approach to Syria. What [Assad] is doing is appalling. He's had his chance to demonstrate he's serious about reform and he's blown it." He told the BBC on Friday: "We've been at the vanguard, arguing for a different approach to Syria. What [Assad] is doing is appalling. He's had his chance to demonstrate he's serious about reform and he's blown it."
Russia, which has a veto on the Security Council, refuses to back a resolution imposing an arms embargo or asset freeze.Russia, which has a veto on the Security Council, refuses to back a resolution imposing an arms embargo or asset freeze.
Anti-government protests are expected to take place in various towns and cities again after Friday prayers.Anti-government protests are expected to take place in various towns and cities again after Friday prayers.
The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones, on the Lebanese-Syrian border, says that if the past 20 or so Fridays are anything to go by then people will again be killed on the country's streets.The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones, on the Lebanese-Syrian border, says that if the past 20 or so Fridays are anything to go by then people will again be killed on the country's streets.
Activists on their Facebook page, Syrian Revolution 2011, urged people out on to the streets under the slogan "death rather than humiliation", adding: "We are ready to die in the millions as martyrs."Activists on their Facebook page, Syrian Revolution 2011, urged people out on to the streets under the slogan "death rather than humiliation", adding: "We are ready to die in the millions as martyrs."
On Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four people were killed by security forces in the central region of Homs.On Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four people were killed by security forces in the central region of Homs.
It said another person was shot dead by the army in the village of al-Rama, in north-western Idlib province, while a young man and a 10-year-old girl died in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour.It said another person was shot dead by the army in the village of al-Rama, in north-western Idlib province, while a young man and a 10-year-old girl died in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour.
Access to Syria has been severely restricted for international journalists and it is rarely possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists.Access to Syria has been severely restricted for international journalists and it is rarely possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists.
Are you in Syria? Do you have family or friends in Syria? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Syria? Do you have family or friends in Syria? Send us your comments and experiences.
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