European Union governments agreed to impose new sanctions against Syria on Monday, February 27 targeting the central bank and several cabinet ministers in bid to increase the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and target sources of funding for his government, Reuters reported.

The new measures take effect later in the week and also include a prohibition on trade in gold and other precious metals with state institutions and a ban on cargo flights from Syria, officials said.

The decision complements several other rounds of EU sanctions. It comes as a military onslaught against civilians continued through Syria, while Assad battles a revolt against four decades of his family's rule.