EU fails to reach decision on arming Syrian rebels

European Union leaders say the arms embargo imposed on the Syrian opposition will end on Saturday.

euronews, the most watched news channel in Europe
Subscribe for your daily dose of international news, curated and explained:http://eurone.ws/10ZCK4a
Euronews is available in 12 other languages: http://eurone.ws/17moBCU

Foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said no decision to arm Syrian rebels will be taken before August and all other sanctions remain in place.

Unity was thin on the ground as ministers toiled for 12 hours and failed to reach the unanimous decision required to extend the current arms embargo.

Romania is dead set against arming the rebels according to Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean: “Romania has no interest in supplying weapons to Syria. We side with those who want a political and diplomatic solution to the problem and we encourage negotiation.”

Moscow believes the move will harm the prospects of an international peace conference, which the Russians, along with the US, are trying to schedule before August.

Louay Safi from the Syrian National Council backs the move, but fears the killing will continue: “We welcome this step. We think it is a positive move, but we are afraid the delay in lifting the embargo will have negative effects on stopping the aggression and killing.”

The EU embargo applies to both the Syrian government and the opposition.

Find us on:
Youtube http://bit.ly/zr3upY
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/euronews.fans
Twitter http://twitter.com/euronews

source