EU approves new round of sanctions against Syria

The Council of the European Union imposed a fresh round of sanctions against Syria on Friday, in response to the crackdowns on opposition rallies which have already claimed thousands of lives. This round, the seventh in a row, bans European companies and individuals from investing in the country's small oil sector, providing loans to Syrian companies, buying and expanding their stocks in Syrian enterprises and setting up joint ventures. Bringing Euro cash into the country was also banned. The Council also added two officials and seven organizations to its black list of those subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. The sanctions come into force on Saturday. Earlier this month, the European Union banned oil imports from Syria. The ban will come into force in full on November 15, when all existing contracts expire. The Syrian government has used force to crush opposition protests, which followed a wave of uprisings in other Arab countries. The UN says about 2,700 people have died since the start of the protests in March, while the government puts the death toll at 1,400.