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France backs ending EU arms embargo on Syria France backs ending EU arms embargo on Syria
(35 minutes later)
French President Francois Hollande has said he hopes the EU arms embargo on Syria will be lifted. French President Francois Hollande has called for the EU arms embargo on Syria to be lifted in order to aid anti-government rebels.
"We are ready to support the rebels, so we are ready to go that far," Mr Hollande told reporters. "We are ready to support the rebels, so we are ready to go that far," he said.
Mr Hollande said France and the UK agreed on the issue but that other countries would have to be convinced. He told reporters that France and the UK agreed on the issue but that other countries would have to be convinced.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France and the UK would consider arming the rebels even if the ban remained in place. Earlier, the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France and the UK would consider arming the rebels even if the ban remained in place.
Mr Hollande was speaking in Brussels on Thursday, ahead of a meeting of EU leaders.Mr Hollande was speaking in Brussels on Thursday, ahead of a meeting of EU leaders.
Syria is not a formal agenda item for the summit, but a British official said that Mr Hollande had requested bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the conflict. Syria is not a formal agenda item for the summit, but a British official said that Mr Hollande and UK Prime Minister David Cameron would raise the conflict with other leaders on Friday.
On Wednesday, Mr Cameron hinted that the UK might arm the rebels if the EU ban remained in place.
However, Russia - Syria's main European ally - has stated its explicit opposition to arming the rebels.
Germany, Austria and Sweden are among the EU states believed to be reluctant to lift the embargo, the BBC's Chris Morris reports from Brussels.
Pressure
"We think that a political transition should be the solution for Syria," Mr Hollande said."We think that a political transition should be the solution for Syria," Mr Hollande said.
But he added: "We cannot allow the massacre of a people by a regime which right now does not want a political transition."But he added: "We cannot allow the massacre of a people by a regime which right now does not want a political transition."
"France's view is that arms are being delivered to Syria - but to the regime of Bashar [al-Assad], in particular by the Russians," he went on."France's view is that arms are being delivered to Syria - but to the regime of Bashar [al-Assad], in particular by the Russians," he went on.
Mr Hollande said France's aim was not a "total war", but to increase the pressure on the government.Mr Hollande said France's aim was not a "total war", but to increase the pressure on the government.
French officials said on Thursday that they would press for EU talks on the embargo to be brought forward, because of the situation's urgency.French officials said on Thursday that they would press for EU talks on the embargo to be brought forward, because of the situation's urgency.
'Not an option' The UK has indicated that it might veto a forthcoming vote, due in May, to extend the embargo.
The UK has indicated that it might veto a forthcoming vote to extend the embargo. Mr 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".
Speaking on France Info radio on Thursday, Mr Fabius said the two countries shared "identical views" over lifting the arms embargo.Speaking on France Info radio on Thursday, Mr Fabius said the two countries shared "identical views" over lifting the arms 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.
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.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.
"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, the AFP news agency said.
Also on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, reported fresh bombardments by government forces in several areas, including in the city of Homs, where a rebel offensive in recent weeks has prompted government reprisals.Also on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, reported fresh bombardments by government forces in several areas, 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 fled Syria in the past week alone. The number of refugees now stands at over 1.1m people.