EU preparing more Syria sanctions, tighter arms embargo

BRUSSELS — The EU is preparing to freeze the assets of at least 26 Syrians close to President Bashar al-Assad and readying plans to board vessels and planes suspected of sending arms to his regime, diplomats said Thursday.

The diplomats told AFP that foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc were likely to agree on Monday to inspect planes and ships believed to be carrying arms or goods used by the Damascus regime to put down protests.