Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) on Monday decided to tighten restrictive measures against Syria.

The foreign affairs council of the EU added 22 persons responsible for "human rights violations" and eight entities "financially supporting the regime" to the list of those subject to an asset freeze and a ban from entering the EU.

This brings the total number of entities targeted by an asset freeze to 38 and the number of people subject to an asset freeze and a visa ban to 108.

In response to the violence in Syria, the EU has gradually imposed a comprehensive set of restrictive measures on Syria, including an arms embargo, a ban on the import of Syrian crude oil and on new investment in the Syrian petrol sector.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said: "Today's decision will put further pressure on those who are responsible for the unacceptable violence and repression in Syria."

"The message from the European Union is clear: the crackdown must stop immediately. We will continue to do all we can to help the Syrian people achieve their legitimate political rights," said Ashton.

Syria has been plunged into turmoil since anti-government protests broke out in mid-March last year.

The West has seized on the opportunity to slap tougher sanctions against Syria and openly demanded President Bashar al-Assad to step down, claiming his "crackdown" on popular protests has led to the losses of thousands of innocent lives.

The Syrian government says that the turmoil in Syria is plotted by "terrorists" and foreign-backed "armed gangs."

It said more than 2,000 army and security personnel were killed during the months-long unrest, while the United Nations put the death toll in the country at more than 5,000.