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Syria conflict: EU to discuss amending arms embargo Syria conflict: EU to discuss amending arms embargo
(35 minutes later)
European Union foreign ministers are to discuss British and French calls for an easing of sanctions against Syria so weapons can be supplied to the rebels.European Union foreign ministers are to discuss British and French calls for an easing of sanctions against Syria so weapons can be supplied to the rebels.
France and the UK are expected to argue that the move would increase pressure on Damascus for a political solution.France and the UK are expected to argue that the move would increase pressure on Damascus for a political solution.
However, several EU states are totally opposed to ending the arms embargo, which expires on 31 May.However, several EU states are totally opposed to ending the arms embargo, which expires on 31 May.
EU officials have warned against jeopardising a current initiative to hold an international peace conference.EU officials have warned against jeopardising a current initiative to hold an international peace conference.
Syria's foreign minister confirmed on Sunday that the government would "in principle" attend the conference which the US and Russia hope will take place in Geneva next month.Syria's foreign minister confirmed on Sunday that the government would "in principle" attend the conference which the US and Russia hope will take place in Geneva next month.
Walid Muallem said it would be "a good opportunity for a political solution" to the conflict, which the UN says has left more than 80,000 people dead.Walid Muallem said it would be "a good opportunity for a political solution" to the conflict, which the UN says has left more than 80,000 people dead.
Members of the main opposition coalition are currently discussing whether to attend the conference, but spokesmen have said they would if President Bashar al-Assad agreed to step down.Members of the main opposition coalition are currently discussing whether to attend the conference, but spokesmen have said they would if President Bashar al-Assad agreed to step down.
'Devastating consequences''Devastating consequences'
Arriving for the talks in Brussels on Monday, several foreign ministers said it was vital to give the planned Geneva talks a chance. Arriving for the talks in Brussels on Monday, several foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was vital to give the planned Geneva talks a chance.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said first and foremost the EU had to "do everything to support as Europeans the American and Russian initiative".Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said first and foremost the EU had to "do everything to support as Europeans the American and Russian initiative".
Austria, in common with the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden. opposes arming the rebels. Its Foreign Minister, Michael Spindelegger, said the EU should remain as "a peace community by not being involved in such a conflict".
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Britain fully backed the Geneva conference as "in the end there is only a political and diplomatically supported solution".UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Britain fully backed the Geneva conference as "in the end there is only a political and diplomatically supported solution".
But he said amending the EU arms embargo was "part of supporting the diplomatic work". President Assad's government needed "a clear signal that it has to negotiate seriously", he said.But he said amending the EU arms embargo was "part of supporting the diplomatic work". President Assad's government needed "a clear signal that it has to negotiate seriously", he said.
Last week, Mr Hague told British MPs that weapons would be supplied only "under carefully controlled circumstances" and with clear commitments from the opposition.Last week, Mr Hague told British MPs that weapons would be supplied only "under carefully controlled circumstances" and with clear commitments from the opposition.
French President Francois Hollande said last week that the existing weapons "imbalance" favoured the government in some areas of Syria. and "military pressure" on Damascus would make a political solution more likely.French President Francois Hollande said last week that the existing weapons "imbalance" favoured the government in some areas of Syria. and "military pressure" on Damascus would make a political solution more likely.
The EU embargo, first imposed in May 2011, applies to the rebels as much as the Syrian government.The EU embargo, first imposed in May 2011, applies to the rebels as much as the Syrian government.
But in February this year foreign ministers agreed to enable any EU member state to provide non-lethal military equipment "for the protection of civilians" or for the opposition forces, "which the Union accepts as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people".But in February this year foreign ministers agreed to enable any EU member state to provide non-lethal military equipment "for the protection of civilians" or for the opposition forces, "which the Union accepts as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people".
Mr Hague and the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, want EU governments to amend the embargo text to allow weapons to be supplied to the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, or allow more assistance to be sent.Mr Hague and the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, want EU governments to amend the embargo text to allow weapons to be supplied to the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, or allow more assistance to be sent.
'Toxic gas''Toxic gas'
There has been increasing pressure on the international community to act since allegations emerged of chemical weapons being used in the conflict.There has been increasing pressure on the international community to act since allegations emerged of chemical weapons being used in the conflict.
Syria has denied using chemical weapons, but French newspaper Le Monde on Monday reported that rebel forces in the Damascus suburb of Jobar had been targeted by canisters of toxic gas since last month.Syria has denied using chemical weapons, but French newspaper Le Monde on Monday reported that rebel forces in the Damascus suburb of Jobar had been targeted by canisters of toxic gas since last month.
Earlier this month BBC News obtained unverified footage of civilians hit by an apparent chemical attack in the northern town of Saraqeb.Earlier this month BBC News obtained unverified footage of civilians hit by an apparent chemical attack in the northern town of Saraqeb.
US President Barack Obama has warned that use of chemical weapons by Syria would be a "red line" for possible intervention. However a UN commission of inquiry member, Carla Del Ponte, said this month that witnesses had also spoken of rebel use of the nerve agent, sarin.US President Barack Obama has warned that use of chemical weapons by Syria would be a "red line" for possible intervention. However a UN commission of inquiry member, Carla Del Ponte, said this month that witnesses had also spoken of rebel use of the nerve agent, sarin.
If EU foreign ministers fail to agree to an easing of the arms embargo, which expires at midnight on 31 May, a more likely deal would involve extending it without amendment for a short period to see if the Geneva conference is successful.If EU foreign ministers fail to agree to an easing of the arms embargo, which expires at midnight on 31 May, a more likely deal would involve extending it without amendment for a short period to see if the Geneva conference is successful.
Unanimity is needed, and several countries are opposed to arming the rebels, reports the BBC's Matthew Price in Brussels. They include Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden. Unanimity is needed, and Mr Hague warned that if a deal could not be agreed, each member state would have to ensure it had its own sanctions.
One Austrian source told the BBC that allowing lethal weapons to be sent into a war zone would turn EU policy on its head, our correspondent adds. Many EU countries fear that anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons given to rebel fighters considered "moderate" might end up in the hands of jihadist militants, including those from the al-Nusra Front, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda.
Many countries are also afraid that anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons given to rebel fighters considered "moderate" might end up in the hands of jihadist militants, including those from the al-Nusra Front, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda.
The lack of a centralised command structure and allegations of human rights abuses by rebel fighters are also sources of concern.The lack of a centralised command structure and allegations of human rights abuses by rebel fighters are also sources of concern.
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, has cautioned against "any counterproductive move" that could harm the prospects of the Geneva conference. It suggests extending the embargo to allow "more time for reflection".The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, has cautioned against "any counterproductive move" that could harm the prospects of the Geneva conference. It suggests extending the embargo to allow "more time for reflection".
Oxfam has warned of "devastating consequences" if the embargo ends.Oxfam has warned of "devastating consequences" if the embargo ends.
"There are no easy answers when trying to stop the bloodshed in Syria, but sending more arms and ammunition clearly isn't one of them," the aid agency's head of arms control, Anna Macdonald, said in a statement on Thursday. "International efforts should be focused on halting arms transfers to all sides and finding a political solution to the crisis.""There are no easy answers when trying to stop the bloodshed in Syria, but sending more arms and ammunition clearly isn't one of them," the aid agency's head of arms control, Anna Macdonald, said in a statement on Thursday. "International efforts should be focused on halting arms transfers to all sides and finding a political solution to the crisis."
US Secretary of State John Kerry has been lobbying EU member states hesitant about lifting the embargo, which our correspondent says has forced the debate in Brussels and added weight to the British and French position. Still, a compromise may be impossible, he adds.US Secretary of State John Kerry has been lobbying EU member states hesitant about lifting the embargo, which our correspondent says has forced the debate in Brussels and added weight to the British and French position. Still, a compromise may be impossible, he adds.