European Union Imposes Arms Embargo on Syria

BRUSSELS – The European Union is imposing an arms embargo on Syria, where the government is conducting a lethal crackdown on protesters.

A statement late Monday said the EU also is prohibiting 13 Syrian government officials from traveling anywhere in the 27-nation union and freezing the assets of those officials.

The statement said the EU is banning the shipment of "arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression."

EU envoys recommended the actions Friday, but Monday's decision by all member governments was required for formal approval.

Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime appears determined to crush the uprising by force and intimidation, and rights groups say hundreds of civilians have been killed since the unrest began.