Arab League To Force Tough Sanctions On Syria

The Arab League is threatening to freeze all Syrian assets and end its commercial and financial dealings with the country as they step up pressure for an end to violence.

A draft document to be discussed by Arab ministers on Sunday showed the sanctions would also include a travel ban on senior Syrian officials and a halt to commercial flights to the country.

Dealings with Syria's central bank would be stopped, but basic commodities will still be allowed into the country.

The document, drawn up by the Arab League's Social and Economic Committee at a meeting in Cairo, will have to be ratified by ministers.

It comes as the funerals of military personnel reportedly killed in an ambush on Thursday took place.

The Syrian military claimed that 10 air force personnel, including six pilots, were killed in an attack on their base in the restive Homs province.

Security forces have been trying to suppress protests against President Bashar al Assad's rule, in which at least 3,500 people have been killed, according to the UN.

The publishing of the Arab League document follows Syria missing its deadline to allow observers into the country.

Earlier this week the United Nations' human rights committee in New York approved a resolution condemning "grave and systematic human rights violations" by Syria.