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No decision on arming Syrian rebels, says Downing Street No decision on arming Syrian rebels, says Downing Street
(about 3 hours later)
The UK government has still not decided whether to arm the Syrian rebels, Downing Street has said. The UK shares the US view that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons but has not yet decided whether to arm the rebels, Downing Street says.
The White House has announced it will supply direct military aid, having concluded that the Syrian regime is using chemical weapons. The White House is to supply direct military aid having concluded that chemical weapons had been used.
Tory MP John Baron urged David Cameron not to rush to follow suit and Labour says efforts should be on peace talks.Tory MP John Baron urged David Cameron not to rush to follow suit and Labour says efforts should be on peace talks.
Downing Street said on Friday "no decision has been taken" on supplying arms but "nothing is off the table". Downing St said it was in talks with other countries but no decision had yet been taken on next steps.
The prime minister's spokesman did not rule out the introduction of a no-fly zone over Syria, or any other measure, adding: "We are in urgent discussions with our international partners".
The White House said President Obama had made the decision to provide arms to the opposition after concluding the Assad regime was using chemical weapons. It has not yet given details about what military aid might be provided.The White House said President Obama had made the decision to provide arms to the opposition after concluding the Assad regime was using chemical weapons. It has not yet given details about what military aid might be provided.
Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the US assessment of Syria's use of chemical weapons and said the international community "must be prepared to do more to save lives" and put pressure on the Syrian regime.Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the US assessment of Syria's use of chemical weapons and said the international community "must be prepared to do more to save lives" and put pressure on the Syrian regime.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the change from the White House brought it closer to the position adopted by Britain and France - that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be forced to the negotiating table.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the change from the White House brought it closer to the position adopted by Britain and France - that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be forced to the negotiating table.
Although Mr Cameron has compared arguments against putting more weapons into Syria with "discussions we had about Bosnia and the appalling events that followed", he has stressed that no decision has been made to arm the rebels.Although Mr Cameron has compared arguments against putting more weapons into Syria with "discussions we had about Bosnia and the appalling events that followed", he has stressed that no decision has been made to arm the rebels.
Reservations have been expressed by some Conservative MPs and, reportedly, some of his own cabinet ministers.Reservations have been expressed by some Conservative MPs and, reportedly, some of his own cabinet ministers.
Extremists boosted?Extremists boosted?
Speaking after the White House announcement, Tory backbencher John Baron said: "Arming the rebels and escalating the violence could be a mistake of historic proportions."Speaking after the White House announcement, Tory backbencher John Baron said: "Arming the rebels and escalating the violence could be a mistake of historic proportions."
He said there was no way of knowing that weapons would not fall "into the hands of extremists within the Syrian opposition forces that have committed atrocities".He said there was no way of knowing that weapons would not fall "into the hands of extremists within the Syrian opposition forces that have committed atrocities".
And he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme adding more weapons could escalate the conflict beyond Syria's borders.And he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme adding more weapons could escalate the conflict beyond Syria's borders.
"We must remember that Syria is a melting pot for a proxy war being fought out at various levels including Sunni versus Shia, the West versus China and Russia, minorities within the country such as Alawites and Christians against what could follow and indeed Iran versus Saudi Arabia."
He said the solution to the conflict was a diplomatic and political one: "We do not have to follow the States in this course of action."
The EU agreed to end an arms embargo on Syria in May - a move backed by the UK - allowing member states to decide their own policy on sending arms to Syria.The EU agreed to end an arms embargo on Syria in May - a move backed by the UK - allowing member states to decide their own policy on sending arms to Syria.
But the prime minister said this week the point had been to send a "clear message about our intentions and our views to President Assad, but we have not made a decision to supply the Syrian opposition with weapons".But the prime minister said this week the point had been to send a "clear message about our intentions and our views to President Assad, but we have not made a decision to supply the Syrian opposition with weapons".
Labour leader Ed Miliband has argued that the government has been putting all its efforts into lifting the EU arms embargo - not on securing the "Geneva II" peace talks, which have already been postponed until at least July.Labour leader Ed Miliband has argued that the government has been putting all its efforts into lifting the EU arms embargo - not on securing the "Geneva II" peace talks, which have already been postponed until at least July.
'Seize moment''Seize moment'
His party says MPs should be given a say on arming the Syrian rebels before any decision has been taken - 81 Conservative MPs also made the same demand in a letter to David Cameron this month.His party says MPs should be given a say on arming the Syrian rebels before any decision has been taken - 81 Conservative MPs also made the same demand in a letter to David Cameron this month.
The foreign secretary said that the UK agreed that chemical weapons, including sarin, had been used by the Assad regime and the international community needed a strong "coordinated response".The foreign secretary said that the UK agreed that chemical weapons, including sarin, had been used by the Assad regime and the international community needed a strong "coordinated response".
He added: "We have to be prepared to do more to save lives, to pressure the Assad regime to negotiate seriously, to prevent the growth of extremism and terrorism, and to stop the regime using chemical weapons against its people.He added: "We have to be prepared to do more to save lives, to pressure the Assad regime to negotiate seriously, to prevent the growth of extremism and terrorism, and to stop the regime using chemical weapons against its people.
"We will be discussing that response urgently with the United States, France and other countries, including at the G8 this week.""We will be discussing that response urgently with the United States, France and other countries, including at the G8 this week."
For Labour, Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said the Geneva II talks were the only credible plan to secure a peace settlement.For Labour, Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said the Geneva II talks were the only credible plan to secure a peace settlement.
"This weekend Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the G8 meeting here in the United Kingdom. This moment must be grasped."This weekend Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the G8 meeting here in the United Kingdom. This moment must be grasped.
"It is vital that the opportunity of this G8 meeting is seized, and every effort is made by the US President, the UK Prime Minister and others to engage the Russians directly and enlist their support in bringing all sides of the Syrian conflict to the negotiating table.""It is vital that the opportunity of this G8 meeting is seized, and every effort is made by the US President, the UK Prime Minister and others to engage the Russians directly and enlist their support in bringing all sides of the Syrian conflict to the negotiating table."