PRESSURE

EU Imposes Sanctions on Syrian President

As Hillary Clinton criticizes violence.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials Monday while U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced his violent response to the ongoing protests. An estimated 800 people have been killed since the crackdown first began, and an additional 11 were reported killed by security forces in the city of Homs. Syrian officials have blamed the violence on armed groups backed by Islamic militants, and have said 120 of their own forces have been killed as well. The EU ban prohibits all travel to EU countries and freezes assets held in their banks. Syria's foreign minister said the sanctions would backfire because it will “harm Europe’s interests.” Clinton, speaking in London, said 1,000 people had been killed and Assad must “begin to respond to the demands that are upon you for a process of credible and inclusive democratic change.”