The EU is preparing to toughen its sanctions against Syria and its weapons embargo by authorising the inspection of ships and aeroplanes suspected of violating the sanctions, diplomatic sources said, on 19 July.

The member states’ representatives are holding talks in Brussels to add approximately 26 more people suspected of repressing the Syrian revolution and two to three more administrations or enterprises to the assets freeze and visa ban list ahead of an adoption, on 23 July, by the Foreign Affairs Council, sources said. Talks are ongoing on these points and final decisions will be made on 23 July in view of the situation in the field, according to a diplomat who wished to remain anonymous. The Council is also likely to settle on the principle for the inspection of ships or aeroplanes suspected of transporting weapons or equipment for repression. If a member state has good reason to suspect that a ship or an aeroplane travelling respectively in its territorial waters or in its airspace is likely to be transporting such a cargo to Syria, it will be under the obligation to proceed to an inspection.