The European Union widened sanctions against Syria on Friday, banning new investments in the oil sector and prohibiting the delivery of bank notes to the Syrian central bank.

"The EU restrictive measures are designed to have maximum impact on the Syrian regime, while minimizing any potential negative impacts on the Syrian population," said EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton.

Abir, her husband and two sons are bracing for their first winter as Syrian refugees in Lebanon's impoverished mountain area of Wadi Khaled, near the northern border with Syria.

Locking the door behind her, Abir removes the black niqab from her face and sits her two sons on a futon in the single room she shares with her family in an abandoned school in the scenic village of Mashta Hammoud.

Switzerland on Friday announced fresh sanctions on Syria, saying that it would impose an embargo on the import, sales and transport of Syrian oil and oil products.

"Due to the relentless repression imposed by the Syrian security forces, the Federal Council has decided to tighten sanctions against Syria," said the Swiss economy ministry in a statement.

Syria said on Thursday that "terrorists" had killed five security force members and wounded 17 in the restive area of Daraa while pro-democracy activists said three civilians were killed in Homs, another hub of protest against President Bashar al-Assad.

Activists also said the authorities had blocked mobile phone signals and the internet in parts of Damascus province, at Saqba, Jisrin, Kafar Batna, Hamurieh and Ain Tarma.

French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton on Wednesday told Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi that the French authorities were “pleased to host him” during his recent trip to Paris.

A statement issued by the French embassy following a visit by Pietton to the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki said the ambassador told al-Rahi his visit to France “confirms the perpetuation of a tradition that reflects the steady, immune relations with the Maronite patriarchate, which represents … an important national authority in Lebanon.”

Snipers and security forces killed 14 civilians Wednesday across Syria, the Syrian Revolution General Commission said, as the EU announced plans to slap new sanctions on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The latest bloodletting came as U.S. President Barack Obama called on the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Syria in a speech at the General Assembly in New York.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted on Wednesday that the fall of the Syrian regime will not benefit Christians or Muslims, saying that the solution to the crisis lies in change and stability.

He told UPI: “Should the Syrian regime be overthrown, then the Christians and Muslims won’t have any freedom.”

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for U.N. Security Council sanctions on Syria, saying there was no excuse for inaction when people were being “tortured and murdered” by their government.

"For the sake of Syria -- and the peace and security of the world -- we must speak with one voice. Now is the time for the United Nations Security Council to sanction the Syrian regime, and to stand with the Syrian people," Obama told the United Nations General Assembly.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams voiced on Wednesday his satisfaction that parliament will tackle on Thursday the electricity draft law, hoping that it would lead to addressing other important issues.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday discussed the need to "increase pressure" on the Syrian regime to aid the pro-democracy protests.

The two leaders "talked about the need to increase pressure on the Assad regime, in order to lead to an outcome that is responsive to the aspirations of the Syrian people," a White House official said.