U.S. to slap sanctions on Syrian president

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The United States will  impose sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for human  rights abuses today, sources briefed on the matter said,  in a  dramatic escalation of U.S. pressure on Damascus to cease  its brutal crackdown on protesters.
The sources declined to provide further details on the U.S.  decision other than to say it would be announced today  and that the U.S. sanctions would flow from alleged human  rights abuses by Assad.
Targeting Assad personally with sanctions, which the United  States and the European Union have so far avoided, would be a  significant new break with Damascus and raise questions about  whether the West ultimately seeks his removal from power.
Syrian rights activists say at least 700 civilians have  been killed in two months of clashes between government forces  and protesters seeking an end to his 11-year rule.
European governments agreed on Tuesday to tighten sanctions  against the Syrian leadership, but said they would decide next  week about whether to include Assad on the list.
U.S. President Barack Obama last month signed an executive  order imposing a first round of U.S. sanctions against Syria’s  intelligence agency and two relatives of Assad’s for alleged  human rights abuses.