Syrian activists report gunfire near capital

Syrian activists report inquiry gunfire and explosions in suburbs of Damascus as the country's conflict moves ever closer to the capital.

Monday's reports by the Local Coordination Committees, an opposition group, might not be independently confirmed.

On Sunday, Syrian troops in dozens of tanks and armored vehicles stormed rebellious areas near the capital, shelling neighborhoods that have fallen under the direct of army dissidents and clashing with fighters.

Activists and residents said at least 62 people were killed in fighting nationwide.

The wide scale Sunday offensive optional the regime is worried those military defectors could close in on Damascus, the seat of President Bashar Assad's power.

European Union Imposes New Sanctions on Syria

European Union foreign ministers resolute Monday to impose additional sanctions on 18 Syrians in response to the killings of protesters by Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

The names of those sanctioned will not be identified until they are published in the EU's official journal in a day or two. In a statement, the foreign ministers said they were "individuals responsible or connected with the repression and supporting or benefiting from the regime."

Sanctions generally take in visa and travel bans on people and the freezing of assets.

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