EU, UN Press for Syrian Solution

The same calls that preceded the downfall of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Tunisia's Ben Ali are now being levelled at Syria.

International pressure is beginning to mount on Syria, with the European Union saying it will explore “all options” on how to stop President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Both Britain and Germany have pushed for sanctions, such as an asset freeze and travel ban, to be levied against al-Assad's Ba'athist regime. As many as 400 protesters might have been killed in five weeks of demonstrations in Syria. On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council will convene for a special meeting on the Syrian situation. The Canadian government has advised against all travel to Syria, and might launch another evacuation effort to assist any citizens stranded in the Middle Eastern country.