NNA - The European Union will suspend sanctions on Syria's banking, energy and transport sectors Monday, diplomats said, in a bid to help the country's reconstruction after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

The step due to be greenlit at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels is a formal move after the bloc struck a preliminary accord last month to suspend sanctions in key areas.

Diplomats talking on Friday said the sanctions could be reimposed if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect the rights of minorities and move towards democracy. -- AFP

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