EU criticises Syria on detentions

A statement said the situation was deteriorating, and human rights defenders faced arrest and repeated detention in solitary confinement.

It urged Syria to review the cases of political prisoners, and immediately release all "prisoners of conscience".

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government.

At least nine people have been detained in the past few days in what correspondents say is a campaign against dissidents.

Most of those arrested are said to have signed a petition calling for better relations with Lebanon.

"The EU expresses its deep concern about the recent widespread harassment of human rights defenders, their families and peaceful political activists, in particular arbitrary arrests and repeated incommunicado detention," the statement said.