The European Union has agreed to step up sanctions on Syria by banning imports of its oil amid the continuing crackdown on antigovernment protests there.
Existing contracts, however, can be fulfilled until mid-November.
Oil accounts for about a quarter of Syria's income and the EU takes the vast majority of its oil exports.
The EU also added four more Syrian officials and entities to its list of those affected by a travel ban and asset freeze.
Meanwhile, Syrian activists said security forces killed at least 13 people when they opened fire on anti-regime protesters in several parts of the country.
The United Nations says more than 2,200 people have been killed in six months of protests.
compiled from agency reports
compiled from agency reports