BRUSSELS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced?in Brussels?on Friday that his country is closing its embassy in Syria, saying the situation there is "unacceptable."

"The French Foreign Minister and I have decided to close our embassy in Syria," said Sarkozy at a press conference following the spring summit of the European Union (EU).

He also suggested setting up a humanitarian zone at Syria's borders.

Asked about possible aid that France could provide to the Syrian opposition, he said, "Any help to Syrian opposition could be provided under a resolution of the United Nations Security Council."

Syria has been gripped with domestic unrest since March of last year. The protests, started peacefully at first demanding modest reforms, have snowballed to the toppling of administration of Assad. Over the past several months, some protesters even took up arms to fight what they called "the bloody crackdown" on them.

Sarkozy condemned the way the Syrian authorities are dealing with the situation, saying, "No one can escape from its responsibilities."

The EU summit on Friday drew a conclusion on Syria, announcing the 27-nation bloc would take more punitive actions against the country.