According to an EU statement, the Council of the EU adopted a decision and a regulation imposing restrictive measures on seven additional persons and introducing such measures against four entities associated with the Syrian government, in view of the "gravity of the situation" in the country.

These persons and entities were added to the sanction list set out in a decision adopted on May 9 by the Council, which imposed restrictive measures on 13 officials and associates of Syria who were allegedly identified as being responsible for the violence against civilians.

The decision also imposed an arms embargo.

On May 23, 10 additional persons, including President Bashar al-Assad, were listed. The measures consist of a visa ban and an asset freeze against the individuals concerned and an asset freeze on the entities.

Syria has been plagued in unrest for more than three months since the anti-government demonstrations started in the southern province of Daraa. The protests have spread to several other Syrian cities, leading to deaths of both protesters and policemen.

The Syrian government has repeatedly blamed the unrest on foreign infiltrators and terrorist groups.

Facing mounting international pressure and protests against the government as violence between police and protesters has reportedly killed more than 1,300 people, al-Assad promised reforms within months in a speech on Monday.

But protesters and Western leaders dismissed his pledges as inadequate and did not meet popular demands for sweeping political reform.

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