Brussels, 23/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 March, by written procedure, EU member states adopted a decision to broaden the scope of European sanctions in place against the Libyan regime, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1973. The new Council decision amends Decision 2011/137/CFSP in order to prevent all flights in the airspace of Libya and strengthen the enforcement of the arms embargo. It also bans Libyan aircraft from EU member states' airspace as well as any aircraft, including those of civilian companies, it has reason to believe is carrying prohibited items, including armed mercenary personnel. The visa ban and the assets freeze already in place (Decision 2011/137/CFSP) are extended to include the additional persons listed in UNSCR 1973 deemed to be involved in or complicit in serious human rights abuses. The assets freeze is, moreover, extended to include new economic and financial entities included on the UN list under UNSCR 1973, including the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) and five subsidiaries of the NOC designated autonomously by the EU. The new sanctions will be published in the European Union Official Journal on Thursday 24 March 2011 and will come into immediate application. (H.B./transl.jl)