European Union governments agreed to impose new sanctions against Syria on Monday, targeting the central bank and several cabinet ministers in bid to increase the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and target sources of funding for his government.

The new measures take effect later in the week and also include a prohibition on trade in gold and other precious metals with state institutions and a ban on cargo flights from Syria, officials said.

The decision complements several other rounds of EU sanctions. It comes as a military onslaught against civilians continued through Syria, while Assad battles a revolt against four decades of his family's rule.