EU Foreign Ministers Considering Sanctions Against Egypt

Hundreds have been killed in recent violence

BRUSSELS, Aug. 21 (Xinhua)—Some of the European Union (EU) member states foreign ministers request the 28-member bloc to adopt "untraditional measures" against Egypt on Wednesday, claiming the violence in the country has reached an unacceptable level.

"The traditional measures are not enough, it should be some sanctions," said Lithuania Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, when he arrived at the extraordinary Foreign Affair Council in Brussels.

"What exactly will be done is difficult to say, but I believe we will discuss these issues," he added.

Linkevicius's suggestion was backed by some EU big powers. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the EU is to send a "strong signal" to Egypt.

But before his departure to Brussels, Westerwelle told local media that the EU's appeal is to draw all parts in Egypt back to negotiating table "with maximum pressure".