Via al Jazeera:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/05/2013527185914804364.htmlEuropean foreign ministers have lifted an arms embargo on Syria, paving the way for individual EU member states to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels.
The foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday to bridge their differences over the issue, with Britain and France pushing to allow European governments to deliver arms.
Outcome of EU meeting:
- Extension of trade, finance and infrastructure restrictions
- Weapons ban ends
- Individual countries decide on arms delivery
After more than 12 hours of talks, EU governments failed to agree on extending the arms embargo, which effectively ends the EU's ban on supplying arms to the rebels, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said.
"We have brought to an end the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition," Hague said after the inconclusive talks, adding that Britain had no immediate plans to send arms to Syria.
"This was the outcome that the United Kingdom wanted. It was a difficult decision for some countries, but it was necessary and right to reinforce international efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria," Hague said in a statement.
More at link, including video report.
The title is somewhat misleading. The embargo has not been lifted, it has lapsed.
