International backing is needed for further action against Syria

The European Union has banned imports of Syrian oil as security forces in the country continue to slaughter civilians.

Oil trading accounts for more than a quarter of Syria’s income, most of which comes from exports to France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The move will “constrict the regime’s funding and reduce its ability to fund the repression of innocent civilians”, according to Foreign Secretary William Hague.

He admitted yesterday Britain was powerless to repeat its Libyan operation in Syria, despite the parallels.

He said: “We can act when it is legal, when there is international support and support not just among western nations.

“This is an important lesson of the last 15 years or so, that when we act outside Europe, we need to be acting with partners from elsewhere in the world.

“In the case of Libya, the Arab League issued a call for help, for intervention, for a no-fly zone.

“The Arab nations and African nations supported the UN security council resolution, which has been the basis of our action in Libya.

“There is no such call or support in the case of Syria so we are not able to do, even if we wanted to do, the sorts of things we have done in the case of Libya.”

Mr Hague backed the oil ban saying: “The EU has made clear we will increase the pressure on President Assad until he steps aside and allows a transition to a different type of regime.

“Throughout Ramadan we have witnessed horrific scenes of continued brutality. This is unacceptable and today we have agreed a ban on all EU imports of Syrian crude oil products to constrict the regime’s funding and reduce its ability to fund the repression of innocent civilians.”

The move came as Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his frustration at the lack of tough international action to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. He said that, like Libya “you have got a dictator who is doing dreadful things to his people”.

But he added: “The problem is there isn’t the same backing in the Arab League, there isn’t the same backing internationally.”

At the Friends of Libya summit in Paris, Mr Cameron discussed the situation with leaders in the region.

He said: “I had good conversations with some members of the Arab League last night in Paris where I think they are toughening their stance because they realise that what he is doing is appalling.

“They realise that he had his chance to demonstrate he was in favour of reform and he has completely failed to do that.”

According to United Nations estimates, more than 2,200 people have been killed by Syrian security forces during the crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The measures come into effect today. But Italy has won an exemption on existing contracts, which can be fulfilled until 15 November, highlighting divisions in Europe over sanctions which have slowed the implementation of economic measures against Syria.

Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja said such delays blunted the impact of sanctions. “If we are serious, we should take any steps we take immediately,” he said.

SAM LISTER