BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) on Wednesday extended assets freeze to two further Libyan entities to strengthen pressures on the embattled authorities.

The EU said the two entities were "closely linked to the perpetrators of the serious human rights abuses in Libya."

The decision went further on measures adopted in February, which introduced a travel ban and an assets freeze, while granting the necessary humanitarian exemptions.

In total, six port authorities, 49 entities and 39 persons are now subject to freeze of their funds and financial resources in the EU. In addition, the same 39 persons, which include Muammar Qadhafi and several family members, are banned from entering the EU.