Turkey Announces Economic Sanctions Against Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Turkey has said it will suspend all financial dealings with Syria and freeze the assets of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, announcing the sanctions at a press conference today, said the Syrian regime "has come to the end of the road" by ignoring calls from the international community to stop its bloody crackdown on protesters.

He also said Turkey would ban Turkish companies from selling or delivering any weapons or military equipment to Damascus.

A cooperation agreement with Syria was being suspended until a new "legitimate" government is in place.

Turkey's move follows in the wake of sanctions announced by the Arab League.

The United Nations says more than 3,500 people have been killed in the crackdown by security forces on protesters since March.

compiled from agency reports