Concerns from the international community have mounted since Syria acknowledged on Monday that it could use its chemical arsenal as a response to foreign aggression. The announcement added to the global concern over the conflict-stricken country.

Syria has warned it could deploy chemical arsenal in the event that it felt threatened by foreign intervention. On Monday, the European Union tightened sanctions on Syria and required member nations to board ships and planes carrying suspicious cargo into the country.

Catherine Ashton, EU foreign policy chief, said, "In response to this ever increasing violence, we’ve strengthened the enforcement of the EU arms embargo against Syria. European Union countries will be obliged to inspect vessels and aircraft heading to Syria if they suspect the cargo contains arms or equipment for internal repression. It applies in member states seaports and airports as well as their territorial waters in accordance with international law. "

The 27 EU ministers also added more than 25 names to an existing list of Syrian individuals and companies believed to be associated with the repression, or benefiting from President Bashar Assad’s government.

They also endorsed a plan to enforce the bloc’s existing arms embargo, requiring inspections on the territory or in the territorial waters of EU states.

The Arab League has held an emergency summit in Qatar, urging President Assad to step down, and promising a "safe exit" for him and his family if he agrees.

The league also appealed to the Syrian opposition to immediately establish a transitional government in the country.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said, "The Syrian opposition must unite internally and abroad to form a transitional government but this doesn’t mean it will last forever. They (Syrians) have done their best and sacrificed a lot to reach independent elections and constitution, one voted by the Syrian people. They must join efforts for the next period."

The US also voiced the same hope as the Arab League, calling for unity within Syrian opposition groups.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also urged conflicting sides in Syria to start negotiations and reach compromise so as to avoid a protracted civil war. After meeting with visiting Italian Prime Minister, Putin noted that the future of Syria should be determined on the base of talks and compromises.

As the violence continues to escalate, more and more Syrians are fleeing their country. The UN said last week that the number of Syrian refugees has almost tripled in three months to 112, 000.

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