EU toughens sanctions against Syria

The European Union toughened its sanctions against Syria on Tuesday, placing restrictions on a Syrian bank, an oil company and a government spokeswoman.

The 16th round of sanctions against Syria are part of EU efforts to pressure President Bashar al-Assad into ending his violent repression of a 15-month-old uprising against his rule, the Reuters reports.

"The European Union condemns the unacceptable shooting down by Syria of a Turkish military plane on 22 June. It offers its sympathies to the families of the airmen involved, and commends Turkey's measured and responsible initial reaction," foreign ministers said in a statement at their Luxembourg meeting, the Wall Street Journal says.