EU agrees to lift economic sanctions on Syria

European Union countries have given the green light to the lifting of all economic sanctions on Syria, with the aim of helping the war-torn country recover after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states have reached an initial agreement on this move, which could be officially unveiled by a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, the Telegraph reports.

This move follows the United States' announcement last week that it would also lift all sanctions on Damascus.

EU diplomats told AFP that the deal should provide for the lifting of sanctions that cut off Syrian banks from the global system and freeze the assets of the central bank.

But diplomats said the bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stoking ethnic tensions, following deadly attacks targeting the Alawite minority.

Other measures targeting the al-Assad regime and prohibiting the sale of weapons or equipment that could be used to suppress civilians would remain in place.

The latest move by the EU comes after it took a first step in February to suspend some sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors.

Officials said these measures could be reinstated if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect minority rights and move towards democracy. /Telegraph