BRUSSELS
The European Union is ready to pursue its policy of sanctions against Syria, where the regime in power has imposed a bloody crackdown on demonstrators, a diplomatic source said Friday.

The EU has warned for some time that if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad maintains his present course, "the EU will pursue and carry forward its current policy, including through sanctions targeting those responsible for or associated with the violent repression," said a text read by a European diplomat.

The text, negotiated by the bloc's 27 ambassadors in Brussels, is expected to be formally adopted by European foreign ministers on Monday.

It comes as at least 28 civilians were killed in Syria on Friday after more than a million people took to the streets in the largest anti-government protests in four months.

Some EU countries had pushed for stronger language condemning the Syrian regime's sending security forces to crush the opposition, another diplomat said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday had pushed for "tougher sanctions against a regime that applies the most brutal measures towards its population."

The United States on Tuesday indicated it was also considering fresh sanctions against the Assad regime.

The EU has already adopted three series of sanctions against Syrian officials, including the president, as well as businesses and officials in neighbouring Iran, which has been accused of aiding the Syrian crackdown.

Unlikely. Other NATO forces seem to be leading the efforts in Libya, and that seems to be the way the President wants it. I think Assad needs to have his azz kicked.

I hope he has the balls to act on Syria, I really do.

We agree on something! That's it, im coming to join ya Elizabeth! It's the big one!