A heavily criticised referendum in Syria has seen a majority of voters agree to a new constitution, state media has reported, even as activists reported ground assaults in the city of Homs that left dozens of civilians dead.
According to President Assad's government 89.4% of Syrian voters voted for the new constitution.
Interior Minister Mohammad Chaar was quoted giving the figures to Iranian state media service Press TV. He said that around 57.4% of eligible voters took part.
British foreign secretary William Hague dismissed the "referendum" as being of no relevance to international efforts to impose a "diplomatic and economic stranglehold on the Assad regime" to "choke off support for its campaign of terror".
Hague also welcomed the imposition of fresh sanctions on the regime by a meeting on European foreign ministers, including restricting the regime's access to the precious metals market, freezing the assets of the Syrian central bank and suspending cargo flights by Syrian airlines.
The new measures are the twelfth round of sanctions imposed on Syria.
Following the meeting Hague said: "I welcome today's EU agreement... Along with previous rounds of sanctions, these tough measures are tightening the economic pressure on President Assad.
"The EU has also imposed sanctions on an additional seven individuals for their involvement in the repression of civilians and suspended cargo flights operated by Syrian airlines."
He added: "We are doing all we can to bring the widest possible weight to bear on the Syrian regime and increase the stranglehold on it."
Hague joined the talks following Friday's Tunis meeting of the "Friends of Syria" group, where US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton renewed attacks on the veto by Russia and China of a United Nations Security resolution condemning Syria.
On Monday China said that Clinton's criticism of their stance on the violence was "totally unacceptable"
"They are setting themselves not only against the Syrian people but also the entire Arab awakening," Clinton said of China and Russia on Friday.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei responded: "this is totally unacceptable for us. China has always determined its stance on the Syrian issue proceeding from the peace and stability of Syria and the Middle East".
Elsewhere activists reported continued violence against civilians, and told of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Homs.
Activists from Avaaz reported a major new offensive on the Insha'at neighbourhood of Homs where residents "fear the beginning of massacre".
"At least 21 people have been killed by shelling in Baba Amr so far today," Avaaz said.
Witnesses reported dozens of tanks entering the neighbourhood and shelling strongholds in Baba Amr from closer distances.
Avaaz quoted one eyewitnesses as saying: "Insha'at borders Baba Amr so the regime is now very close to its main target.
"They are close enough to shell it with tanks. Baba Amr is full of resistance fighters so the regime knows it will be difficult to defeat them. So they want to destroy it completely from outside before they send in forces on the ground so they kill as many FSA fighters as possible."
Alice Jay, campaign director at Avaaz, said: "This is an announced, full-on massacre of an entire region.
"The international community must now step in to save men, women and children from the unfettered killing, or its complacency will leave blood on its hands."
The London-based Strategic Research and Communication Centre said 60 people died on Sunday in rocket and mortar attacks in Homs and other towns.
President Assad's regime also continued to ignore calls for a ceasefire in order to evacuated the hundreds wounded in Baba Amr, who include two foreign journalists.
Activists estimate up to 9,000 people may have been killed since the start of anti-government protests in March 2011.