LONDON — Britain is hesitant to support European Union sanctions on Syria's energy sector.

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One British firm, Gulfsands Petroleum, has been exploring and developing Syrian reserves and was said to have agreed to to share profits with Assad's cousin, financier Rami Makhlouf, now under Western sanctions.

"We have not taken a decision on oil," British Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said. "Our view is that sanctions must continue to be targeted on those who support the regime, and sanctions should be considered on the basis of what will have most effect on changing that situation or improving the situation of the Syrian people."

The United States has already imposed a boycott on Syria's energy sector while the EU was divided over the issue. Sweden was said to support a European boycott while Britain and France were hesitating to support such action. Officials said the EU was expected to decide the issue in September.

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