LUXEMBOURG: The European Union is increasing pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, prohibiting the provision of any financial services to Syrian arms exports and banning a major Syrian airline from EU airports.

The moves come as the death toll from Syrian conflict is estimated to have passed 32,000.

EU foreign ministers discussing sanctions on Syria on Monday in Luxembourg added 28 people to those whose assets are frozen and who are denied EU visas.

They also froze the assets of two additional companies - one of which was the banned Syrian Arab Airlines. The full list of those sanctioned will be published Tuesday.

A ban on Syrian cargo flights was already imposed, as was an obligation for EU countries to inspect ships or planes suspected of carrying arms to Syria.