France's top diplomat says the European Union will freeze the assets of Syria's central bank at its meeting Monday.

 

Foreign Minister Alain Juppe made the announcement at a conference being held in Tunisia Friday to pressure the Syrian regime to end a violent crackdown on the opposition.

 

Juppe told the delegates in the closed session that the EU was planning on implementing "strong new measures" in its meeting Monday including "freezing the assets" of the bank.

 

The comments were later released.

 

The conference features delegates from more than 60 countries. Officials have also said that a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping force will be planned for the country.