This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21782379

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
France and UK mull breaking Syria arms embargo France backs ending EU arms embargo on Syria
(about 1 hour later)
France and the UK would consider arming the Syrian opposition even if it meant breaking an EU ban, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said. French President Francois Hollande has said he hopes the EU arms embargo on Syria will be lifted.
Speaking on France Info radio, he said the two countries shared "identical views" over lifting the arms embargo. "We are ready to support the rebels, so we are ready to go that far," Mr Hollande told reporters.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France and the UK would consider arming anti-government rebels even if the ban were in place.
He said they would press for EU talks on the embargo to be brought forward, because of the situation's urgency.He said they would press for EU talks on the embargo to be brought forward, because of the situation's urgency.
The UK has played down the remarks - but said earlier it might veto a forthcoming vote to extend the embargo. Speaking on France Info radio, Mr Fabius said the two countries shared "identical views" over lifting the arms embargo.
The UK has played down the remarks - but has said it might veto a forthcoming vote to extend the embargo.
Many countries are concerned that pouring more arms into Syria could escalate the conflict. BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that was the position Britain was taking until recently.Many countries are concerned that pouring more arms into Syria could escalate the conflict. BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that was the position Britain was taking until recently.
Russia has stated its explicit opposition to arming the rebels.Russia has stated its explicit opposition to arming the rebels.
The EU embargo is due to be renewed in May but British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that it was "not out of the question we may have to do things in our own way".The EU embargo is due to be renewed in May but British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that it was "not out of the question we may have to do things in our own way".
Mr Cameron said the UK was "still an independent country", although he hoped the whole EU could reach agreement.Mr Cameron said the UK was "still an independent country", although he hoped the whole EU could reach agreement.
A spokesman for the French foreign ministry said on Thursday that France and the UK would ask for an EU meeting to discuss lifting the embargo.
Syrian state media said that arming the rebels would be a "flagrant violation" of international law, AFP news agency said.Syrian state media said that arming the rebels would be a "flagrant violation" of international law, AFP news agency said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, reported fresh bombardments by government forces in several areas on Thursday, including in the city of Homs, where a rebel offensive in recent weeks has prompted government reprisals.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, reported fresh bombardments by government forces in several areas on Thursday, including in the city of Homs, where a rebel offensive in recent weeks has prompted government reprisals.
Eight soldiers died in a rebel attack on a checkpoint near the citadel in the centre of Homs, the Observatory said.Eight soldiers died in a rebel attack on a checkpoint near the citadel in the centre of Homs, the Observatory said.
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agencies says more than 100,000 people have Syria in the past week alone. The number of refugees now stands at over 1.1m people.Meanwhile, the UN refugee agencies says more than 100,000 people have Syria in the past week alone. The number of refugees now stands at over 1.1m people.
'Sovereign nation''Sovereign nation'
In Thursday's interview, the French foreign minister echoed Mr Cameron's words when asked if France and the UK agreed on arming the Syrian opposition without EU consent.In Thursday's interview, the French foreign minister echoed Mr Cameron's words when asked if France and the UK agreed on arming the Syrian opposition without EU consent.
"France is a sovereign nation," Mr Fabius told France Info."France is a sovereign nation," Mr Fabius told France Info.
"We are in constant consultation [with the UK] and on this particular matter, our positions are identical.""We are in constant consultation [with the UK] and on this particular matter, our positions are identical."
France and the UK would be prepared to "lift the embargo" even if there was no international support for the decision, he said.France and the UK would be prepared to "lift the embargo" even if there was no international support for the decision, he said.
Both countries would call for the date of an EU meeting on the matter to be brought forward, Mr Fabius said. "We have to act very quickly," he added.Both countries would call for the date of an EU meeting on the matter to be brought forward, Mr Fabius said. "We have to act very quickly," he added.
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday evening - though Syria is not a formal agenda item.EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday evening - though Syria is not a formal agenda item.
Unnamed sources at the UK Foreign Office played down Mr Fabius's comments, saying there were "no plans" to call for an urgent meeting.Unnamed sources at the UK Foreign Office played down Mr Fabius's comments, saying there were "no plans" to call for an urgent meeting.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a Tweet posted on Thursday: "Syrians are caught in a tragedy and humanitarian crisis. But solving the problem by arming the opposition is not an option here."Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a Tweet posted on Thursday: "Syrians are caught in a tragedy and humanitarian crisis. But solving the problem by arming the opposition is not an option here."