Brussels, 10/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 May, sanctions taken by the EU27 last week against the Syrian regime for its massive and bloody repression of public protests in the country were published in the EU Official Journal (see EUROPE 10373). In practical terms, “restrictive measures” include an embargo on sales of arms and equipment that may be used for internal repression, and a visa ban and assets freeze on 13 government officials. President Bashar al-Assad is not among the 13 personalities concerned but several countries, including France and the United Kingdom, continue to apply pressure so that the head of state, as the person responsible for violence against his people, be added to the list very soon (see EUROPE 10374). The four key people on the current list are Maher al-Assad (the president's brother and commander of an elite military unit), Rami Makhlouf (the president's cousin and a wealthy businessman), and Ali Mamlouk. “The aim of the measures is to achieve a change of policy by the Syrian leadership without further delay”, Catherine Ashton commented after measures took effect. “Putting an immediate end to violence and swiftly introducing genuine reforms is the only way to provide peace and stability for Syria in the long term”, the EU high representative for foreign affairs explains. “Failing that, the EU will consider extending the restrictive measures (…) including at the highest level of leadership”, Ashton added. Syria will also be the focus of the Foreign Affairs Council next week (23 May). (H.B./transl.jl)