Canada imposes sanctions on Syria

 Canada Tuesday announced targeted sanctions on Syria following unrest and violent clashes in the Middle East country.

The measures include a travel ban on people associated with the Syrian government, an asset freeze on designated people and entities involved in Syria's security and military operations, and a suspension of cooperation agreements and initiatives between the two nations, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement.

He said Canada would also place a ban under the Export and Import Permits Act on certain Canadian commodity and technology exports to Syria that are subject to export controls, including arms, munitions, military, nuclear and strategic items.

But Harper said the sanctions are "not intended to cause harm to the Syrian people."

Since the onset of Syria's social unrest, Western countries have been accusing the Syria government of cracking down on protesters, while Syria blamed the turmoil on armed terrorist groups and foreign conspiracy.

Before Canada's announcement, the United States and the European Union already slapped sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over his response to anti-government protestors.

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