EU removes arms embargo on Syrian opposition
British Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed late Monday that the European Union has lifted its arms embargo on the Syrian opposition.
 |
| Syria's opposition force Source: AFP |
Hague said that there were no immediate plans to supply arms to them and all other sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes on Syrian officials, have been renewed. Hague added that the move would give more flexibility to deal with the situation in Syria. France and Britain had argued in favor of removing the arms ban, saying it would help the "moderate" Syrian opposition forces fighting the Bashar al-Assad regime. Others, like Austria, wanted the arms embargo to continue, arguing that lifting the ban could worsen the conflict and weapons could fall into the hands of extremists. A consensus of 27 members was required to renew the arms embargo against Syria which was to expire on June 1st. Under the move, EU member states can still place an arms embargo individually as part of national policy.
On the same day, speaking at a meeting in Paris, France with his US counterpart, John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that holding a conference to end Syria's civil war would be a "tall order". Mr. Lavrov said the two sides had discussed measures to exert efforts to organize the conference. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Russia and the US were still committed to implement the principles worked out at the 1st Geneva conference including a powerful transitional government which would enable the Syrian people to decide their own future.