The European Union (EU) is to impose sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in an attempt to put pressure on him to end his regime’s violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Travel bans and asset freezes have been put on Al-Assad and several Syrian government officials. This is the first time the EU has imposed sanctions on the Syrian president. The EU has previously imposed sanctions on Al-Assad’s brother, four of his cousins and some other members of his government.

The decision to impose sanctions on the Syrian president was made at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.

The EU decision to sanction Al-Assad follows the US’ decision to impose sanctions on the president on 18 May.

At least 850 people have now been killed in clashes with Syrian security forces since protests began in mid-March.