EU sets more sanctions against Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria, June 25 (UPI) -- The European Union confirmed new sanctions Monday against Syria, including an extended travel ban and an asset freeze on some companies, officials said.

Some EU members said the reason for the new sanctions is the shooting down by Syrian forces of a Turkish plane.

The sanctions include freezing the assets of six companies and one person.

European Union foreign ministers also formally approved an agreement reached last week to ban insurance and reinsurance of arms shipments to Syria, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A Turkish F-4 phantom, was shot down Friday. Turkey said the plane was in international airspace when it was hit. Syria says the jet was over its territory.

"What happened the last days is very serious…[But] military action in Syria is utterly out of the question," said Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal.