Arab League Imposes Syrian Sanctions as Civil Conflict Grows
The Arab League imposed unprecedented sanctions on Syria, including a freeze on financial assets in Arab countries and a travel ban on senior officials, after it failed to stop its crackdown on protesters. The measures also will halt dealings with the Syrian central bank, Qatari Prime Minister told reporters yesterday in Cairo. The Arab League banned financial transactions and trade with the Syrian government, excluding basic commodities, he said. President Bashar Al-Assad, 46, is under economic and political pressure to end an eight-month crackdown against demonstrators, inspired by popular movements that toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The violence has moved the country closer to a civil war as military personnel defect and take up arms against the government. “Sanctions may put more pressure on Assad, but he will continue his current crackdown as is unless something really big happens,” Paul Sullivan, a political scientist specializing in Middle East security at Georg