UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has described as "extremely disturbing" new arrests in Burma, calling on the ruling junta to stop detaining democracy activists.
Several prominent Burmese student leaders were arrested over the weekend. He was speaking in Thailand as EU foreign ministers were preparing to meet in Luxembourg to discuss tougher sanctions against the junta.
At their monthly meeting, the EU foreign ministers are expected to ban imports of gemstones, timber and metals from Burma, as well as voicing their support for Mr Gambari's mission. Burma's generals already face an EU travel ban and a freeze on assets.
BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu says the generals can now expect fresh embargoes on some of their more lucrative exports - including jade, rubies and teak. However, European sanctions have had practically no impact on Burma, as more than 90% of the country's trade is with its Asian neighbours, she says. The new measures will not prevent the French energy giant Total from doing business with the junta, though diplomats say that may come later.
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