The European Union will reduce its renewal term for sanctions on Syria to three months from an expected year. EU diplomats think that doing so will make it easier to equip rebels fighting to depose President Bashar al-Assad.

The current sanctions package is scheduled to expire on December 1, and consists of:

• Visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and businesses connected to Assad’s government
• A ban on oil imports from Syria
• An embargo on the supply of arms to the country, imposed to prevent the flow of weapons to Assad’s forces

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states decided to review the whole package of sanctions every three months, from here on out.

“This sends a strong message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that all options remain on the table and makes clear the need for real change,” a British Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

Read this Reuters article to learn more.