Baroness Ashton on Syria: 'Sanctions are an important tool'

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to new sanctions against Syria, including a ban on President Assad's wife, Asma, and other family members visiting the EU.

The measures, which also include freezing assets, are expected to affect 12 people close to the Syrian president.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, said sanctions were ''a really important tool''.