The United States says it will level new sanctions against the Syrian government and its supporters, including the Lebanese group, Hezbollah.

The U.S. Treasury's top official on terrorism and financial intelligence, David Cohen, told reporters Friday that Washington will be tightening existing sanctions and adding new ones.

Cohen, traveling with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Ghana, accused Hezbollah and Iran of aiding in the suppression of the Syrian people.

The move comes as the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Syrian activists said Friday government forces launched a new bombardment of Aleppo, the nation's largest city, continuing their offensive against rebel-held areas.

Rebel field commander Malek al-Kurdi told VOA's Persian service on the Turkish-Syrian border that the rebels desperately need international help.

Britain said Friday it will give the rebels nearly $8 million for communications equipment and medical supplies. Foreign Secretary William Hague said in an article in the Times newspaper that relationships must be built now with “those who may govern Syria in the future.” The money will not be allocated for weapons.