European Union countries suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect on Monday, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.

BRUSSELS -- The European Union on Monday began easing energy and transport sanctions and banking restrictions against Syria, aiming to help breathe life into the conflict-torn country’s economy if its new leaders work toward a peaceful future.

In an effort to "facilitate engagement" with Syria's new leaders, the European Union on Monday suspended sanctions on Syria's energy, transport, and banking sectors, on the condition that the new

Brussels says it seeks to encourage democracy as restrictions dealing with energy, transport and banking lifted.

Sharaa’s interim government has been trying to court the international community to encourage investment and ease sanctions to allow Syria’s economy to recover.

A European Union official on Monday urged Syria’s new leadership to form an inclusive government, warning that EU sanctions would be reinstated if the situation does not progress in the “right direction.

The European Union has agreed to partially suspend several sanctions on Syria’s energy industry, including scrapping bans on importing crude from the country and on exporting technologies to the oil and gas industry.

By bna Cairo bureau The European Union has suspended key economic sanctions against Syria, including restrictions on energy, transport and banking sectors, KUNA reported on February 24. The decision,

On Monday, the Council decided to maintain lists linked to the Al-Assad regime, but approved the lifting of wide-ranging sanctions on key industries such as the energy, transport and financial sectors.