European Union Foreign Ministers are likely to broaden sanctions against Syria, in the form of new travel restrictions for individuals involved in the repression and financial sanctions, at a monthly meeting in Brussels on Monday.
The EU will suspend the financial assistance given to Syria by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The decision means the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will not receive any more cash under existing loan projects from the EIB.
In September, the EU imposed an embargo on crude oil imports from Syria and banned EU firms from new investment in its oil industry.
EU Foreign Ministers will also add between 15 and 20 officials to the sanctions list.
The EU has already imposed travel bans and asset freezes against about 60 Syrians, including President Assad and many members of his family, the armed forces and government. The latest targets are said to be more loosely tied to the regime.
"We believe it is essential that the international community sends a strong, unified message to Syria that the repression, the violence against peaceful demonstrators is in no way acceptable," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said over the weekend.
Monday’s EU ministerial meeting comes after the Arab League voted to suspend Syria from membership over the repression against protestors.