EU to extend sanctions against Syria

The European Union will extend sanctions against Syria, spokesman for EU Michael Mann said on Friday. Mann said that they are continuing to work on sanctions and considering how they can extend the range of sanctions which are already being applied against Syria. The U.S. Treasury adopted on Wednesday sanctions against Syria's leading bank and mobile operator over the alleged development of weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations. Syria has been rocked by mass protests demanding reforms and resignation of President Bashar al-Assad for almost six months. Pressure from international powers has mounted to end the crackdown, with condemnations from Egypt, Iraq and Russia, and the Turkish foreign minister handed Assad a stern message from Ankara as well. More than 1,600 civilians are thought to have been killed and 3,000 missing since protests began in the southern city of Deraa in mid-March. According to government data, 340 servicemen and security officers were also killed.